Srinagar, Jul 31 (KNO): A total of 373 Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) were operational across 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir as on June 30, 2026, the Centre informed the Lok Sabha on Friday.
The figures, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) were provided by Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers Anupriya Patel in reply to an unstarred question on the number of operational Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras across the country, including district-wise details.
According to the district-wise data furnished by the government, Jammu has the highest number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in J&K at 85, followed by Srinagar with 37 and Anantnag with 34. Budgam and Pulwama have 23 each, while Baramulla has 21 and Samba 20.
The data further shows that Kulgam has 16 JAKs, Kathua and Kupwara 13 each, Poonch and Rajouri 12 each, Udhampur 10, Shopian 9, and Bandipora, Ganderbal, Ramban and Reasi have eight each. Doda has seven JAKs, while Kishtwar has six.
At the national level, the Centre said 20,149 Jan Aushadhi Kendras had been opened under the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana till June 30, 2026. During the financial year 2025-26, the scheme recorded sales of Rs 2,252.19 crore, resulting in estimated savings of approximately Rs 9,000 crore for citizens.
The government said district-wise sales data is not maintained by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), the implementing agency of the scheme.
On expansion, the Centre said PMBI has partnered with the cooperative sector to open Jan Aushadhi Kendras through Primary Agriculture Cooperative Credit Societies. As of June 30, 2026, 846 such centres had been opened across the country and more than 4,250 PACS had received initial approval to open JAKs.
To prevent stock-outs, the government said stocking of 200 commonly used medicines has been incentivised since September 2024. It added that an IT-enabled supply chain connects five warehouses and 42 distributors, while 400 fast-moving products are regularly monitored to assess demand and strengthen procurement.
The Centre has set a target of opening 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras by March 2027, with the scheme facilitating establishment of centres at both block and district levels—(KNO)