Sri Vijaya Puram, October 16: Livestock owners in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands could gain better access to affordable veterinary medicines under the Centre’s Pashu Aushadhi Vikray Kendra initiative, which allows eligible registered agricultural outlets and cooperative societies to open medicine centres with financial incentives and a prescribed operating framework.
Launched under the Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme, the scheme aims to reduce animal treatment costs by making quality generic veterinary medicines available at affordable prices, particularly in rural and remote areas. The initiative seeks to strengthen livestock healthcare across the country, including the islands.
Registered Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samridhi Kendras (PM-KSKs) and cooperative societies can apply to establish these outlets. Applicants must have at least 120 square feet of owned or rented premises, employ a registered pharmacist holding a Bachelor of Pharmacy (B. Pharma) or Diploma in Pharmacy (D. Pharma) qualification, and obtain a drug sale licence from the State Drug Control Authority.
The scheme permits only one Kendra in each revenue block, with priority given to locations with larger livestock populations.
Operators will receive a 20 per cent margin on the selling price of each medicine, excluding tax. The scheme also provides a one-time incentive of ₹1.5 lakh for outlets established in aspirational districts, hilly areas, islands and northeastern states. Eligible operators can receive a monthly incentive of up to ₹20,000, determined by the stock maintained and the volume of medicines purchased and sold.
The centres must sell medicines supplied by the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), with all transactions processed through the official Point-of-Sale system. Operators may also sell ethno-veterinary products and certified animal feeds.
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the Ministry of Cooperation and PMBI jointly implement the initiative.
Eligible applicants must submit their applications online through the official portal, https://pashuaushadhi.dahd.gov.in/. The application fee is ₹5,000, although the scheme waives it for outlets in aspirational areas. Applicants can access the detailed guidelines through the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying website.
Registered PM-KSKs and cooperative societies in the islands are eligible to participate, potentially expanding local access to veterinary medicines while supporting livestock health and rural livelihoods.
