"Railway Board has decided that a policy provision will be made that existing Multi Purpose Stalls (MPS) at railway stations may be authorized to stock generic low-cost medicines, also in accordance with the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme."
Travelling via trains but forgot your medicines at home? Well, you may soon be able to buy them at multi-purpose stalls in railway stations.
The Railways is now mulling the move to have multi-purpose stalls (MPS) at stations stock low-cost generic medicines for sale, reported the Business Standard.
The government informed the Parliament about the decision made by the Railway Board on Thursday.
Writing to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Railways, Rajen Gohain, said that there were three chemist stalls already operational in Mumbai’s Churchgate, Mumbai Central and Andheri stations. But the government is now expected to ensure that most major stations have chemist shops that sell low-cost medicines.
“Railway Board has decided that a policy provision will be made that existing Multi Purpose Stalls (MPS) at railway stations may be authorized to stock generic low-cost medicines, also in accordance with the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) scheme,” he added.
He explained that under the existing Multi-Purpose Stall (MPS) policy, it had been decided that books/magazines/newspapers, chemist stall items-OTC (over the counter) medicines and non-pharmacy items like dry/spray milk powder and other such items will be permitted for sale.
Read more: Watch: Indian Railways Inducts 5 Futuristic Machines For Safer Train Travel!
He added that under the policy, retailers/individuals/self-help groups and registered sole proprietorship firms or a partnership firm or company – under the Partnership Act 1932/Companies Act 1956 – are eligible for participating in the bidding process for these stalls.
It could be a great move considering the vast section of the population that uses railway services to travel within the country. Another latest project that the Railways is being lauded for is to tackle stinking bio-toilets with an award-winning innovation!
This innovation will ensure that humidity in these bio-toilets is pushed out and replaced with fresh air through a cross-ventilation system. You can read more about it here.
(Edited by Shruti Singhal)
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