Punjab: Jan Aushadhi Kendra, a boon for villagers

Punjab: Hoshiarpur-based Lambra Kangri Multipurpose Cooperative Service Committee, known for innovative ideas, has launched Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Lambra village, where medicines are made available to patients at very low rates. The Jan Aushadhi Kendra has come as a boon for people in the nearby areas as buying medicines from outside was costing them a lot. Chandra Dev Singh (71), a heart patient and diabetic, said, “I used to spend more than Rs 8,500 on medicines every month. Recently, I started buying medicines from Jan Aushadhi Kendra. Now the bill comes to less than Rs 2,000,” he said. B. Pharma degree holder Muskan, who has been appointed by the committee, said medicines are being offered at a discount of up to 90 per cent. “The medicine for treating thyroid costs between Rs 170 and Rs 250 in the market. However, we are selling it for Rs 55. We buy our medicines only from authorised dealers.” Jaswinder Singh, the project director of the society, said that they need 120 square feet of space along with air conditioners and refrigerators for the Jan Aushadhi Kendra. He said that the Food and Drug Administration has also inspected our site.
The society, which came into existence in 1920, was awarded the State Award by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Independence Day in 2024. One of its major works was to set up a biogas plant in the village. With its help, the villagers started using piped biogas from LPG cylinders in 2016. The society, which has always met the needs of the villagers, was adopted by Kahan Singh Pannu in 1999. The society provides biogas meters and stoves to the villagers at its own expense. Even in Government Senior Secondary School Lambra, piped gas is being used to prepare mid-day meals for the students. For this initiative, the society was also awarded the Dr. Shirin Gadhia Sustainability Award by Eco Centre ICNEER (International Centre for Networking Ecology, Education Re-integration) in collaboration with Muni Sewa Ashram. This award is given to those who have contributed towards sustainability. In another project, the society uses rice husk ash to purify water. Since its disposal is a big problem, the society found a way to use it as a medium to clean water. Jaswinder said that recently a delegation from the US visited them and checked their entire working model.