Delhi's first Jan Aushadhi Kendra faces closure as Shastri Bhawan to be razed
The government-operated generic drug store in Shastri Bhawan awaits alternative space following the Central Vista redevelopment plan.
The first Jan Aushadhi Kendra in Delhi faces potential closure as the Shastri Bhawan building is set to be demolished under the Central Vista redevelopment plan, according to The Indian Express.
The one-room store, which opened in 2009 after being inaugurated by then Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers Ram Vilas Paswan, has not yet been allocated new space.
While ministries and departments have vacated the building by September, the store in-charge said they are still waiting for a new location.
Unlike most current stores run by private players, this facility is entirely government-operated with costs borne by the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
The store in-charge stated that employees wrote to the Department of Pharmaceuticals in January, March, and July this year, but no communication has been received.
The Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers has requested the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs to allot suitable space to prevent service disruption, according to sources.
Sources at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs said the process for allotting space for the Kendra is ongoing.