*Several delegations call on Mandaviya
Excelsior Correspondent
PULWAMA, Mar 7: Union Minister of State for Shipping (IC), Chemicals and Fertilizers, Mansukh Laxmanbhai Mandaviya today said that the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Yojana (PMJAY) has provided a great relief to the patients belonging to the economically weaker sections of the society and major part of the basic income spent on the costly medicines is being saved since the inception of the scheme.
He made these remarks while inaugurating a function to celebrate Jan Aushadhi Diwas at District Administrative Complex Pulwama here today.
The Union Minister said that it is a great moment for the people of Pulwama that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is directly interacting with the beneficiaries of the PMJAY. He appealed the people to avail the benefits of the scheme. He said that the aim of the scheme is to provide affordable medicine and sustainable source of employment. He added that lakhs of people are being benefited from Jan Aushadhi Kendras all across the country on daily basis.
Mandaviya appealed the youth of Pulwama to come forward to start their own Jan Aushadhi Kendras and become independent and self-reliant. He ensured ample stocking of Jan Aushadhi medicine.
The Union Minister was accompanied by IGP Kashmir, Vijay Kumar, DIG South, Atul Kumar, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Dr Raghav Langer, Director Health Services, Dr Sameer Mattoo, State Drug Controller, Lotika Khujaria, SP Pulwama Ashish Mishra and other senior civil, police officers and other officials.
On the occasion, the Union Minister distributed baby kits among the mothers of newly born girl children under Beti Bacho Beti Padhao Scheme and sanitary kits (Suvidha) among the adolescent girls. He also felicitated the newly recruited staff nurses under NHM/DNB Courses.
Earlier, the Minister visited Jan Aushadhi Kendra at District Hospital Pulwama where he took stock of availability of medicine and other facilities.
While interacting with the beneficiaries, pharmacists and distributors of the scheme, the Minister said that Government has taken an initiative to make affordable and quality generic medicines popular among the people through the scheme. He urged creating awareness about the scheme so that no poor person suffers due to non-availability of affordable medicines.
Later, several public delegations, deputations and individuals met the Minister and projected issues like upgradation of civic amenities, education, road connectivity, drinking water, Power supply, adequate healthcare facilities and public importance demands and sought his intervention in resolving the issues.
A delegation of Saffron Growers of District Pulwama demanded creation of separate division for functioning of borewells, extension of National Saffron Mission by two years, GI tagging and International marketing of saffron.
A delegation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Unit Holders of the District raised the issue of 25% of produce from the local pharmaceutical manufacturing units to be mandatorily procured by Government Health Institutions and JKMSCL.
A delegation of Women Self Help Groups (SHG) and Handloom/ Handicraft Artisans put forth their demands related to Direct Marketing of products produced by SHGs, Training of SHG ladies, establishment of Skill Development Training Institute in Pulwama.
The delegation of Handloom/Handicraft Artisans demanded sale outlets at Main Market Pulwama, National Highway-44, Awantipora and Pampore to display and sell their products. They also demanded creation of skill-development centres equipped with latest Technical know-how, online shopping facility, special arrangement for Annual Exhibition of Handicraft products at District level and out of state exhibitions, enhancement of subsidy to the registered societies, allotment of shops to registered cooperative societies and availability of Loan facility to artisans of Handicrafts and Handloom.
A delegation of Fertilizer Dealers demanded restoration of Notional Rake Point in Kashmir Valley, abolition of GST on Chemical Fertilizers and rectification of rate fluctuations in DAP/MOP Fertilizers between J&K and other states of country.
A delegation of members of Civil Society Pulwama demanded MRI Facility at District Hospital, Maternity Hospital at Sirnoo Pulwama, professional college, completion of Ring road, widening of Pulwama-Awantipora road along with beautification, fast track execution of work at AIIMS Awantipora and establishment of working Women’s Hostel.
A youth delegation from the district demanded construction of Youth hostel cum youth club, age relaxation in UPSC Exams, Indoor stadium at District headquarters, 24X7 Digital Library cum Reading Room in Pulwama, Skill development Institute, Bharat Darshan for youth, Special Entrepreneurship programs, Special exposure camps to rest of India and Special entrepreneur package.
The Minister gave a patient hearing to the deputations and assured that their genuine demands will be examined on priority and addressed on merit.
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