In a significant milestone under the mission to provide quality generic medicines and surgical equipments at affordable prices to the masses, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) and Coal India Limited have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for opening of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in the premises of every coal field, selected hospitals or any suitable location specified or decided by Coal India Limited.

These facilities include Coal India Limited in Kolkata, West Bengal; Eastern Coalfields Limited in Sanctoria, West Bengal; Bharat Coking Coal Limited in Dhanbad, Jharkhand; Central Coalfields Limited in Ranchi, Jharkhand; Central Coalfields Limited in Ranchi, Jharkhand; South Eastern Coalfields Limited in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh; Western Coalfields Limited in Nagpur, Maharashtra; Northern Coalfields Limited in Singrauli, M.P.; Mahanadi Coalfields Limited in Sambalpur, Orissa; North Eastern Coalfields in Assam; and Central Mining Planning & Design in Ranchi, Jharkhand.

The objective of this MoU is to provide high-quality generic medicines to the workforce and communities associated with Coal India, through the establishment of Jan Aushadhi Kendras across Coal India premises. These medicines will help workers, residents, and families save out of pocket expenditure and will give employment opportunities to entrepreneurs in the project areas.