**Executive Summary**
This document is a statement addressing Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 112, regarding the closure of Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) in Karnataka. It acknowledges the order by the State Government to close JAKs in government hospitals, the subsequent quashing of this order by the Karnataka High Court, and the State Government's appeal against this judgement, with a hearing scheduled for April 2, 2026. The statement also outlines the actions taken to ensure continued access to affordable medicines.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Closure Order and Legal Action:**
* The State Government of Karnataka issued an order on May 14, 2025, to close Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) located within government hospital premises.
* The Karnataka High Court quashed the order on December 10, 2025, allowing JAKs to continue operating in government hospitals.
* The State Government of Karnataka has filed an appeal on January 14, 2026, against the High Court's judgment, with a hearing scheduled for April 2, 2026.
* **Status of JAKs in Karnataka:**
* There are 191 JAKs located within government hospital premises in Karnataka.
* 82 JAKs were operated by Mysore Sales International Limited (MSIL), a state-owned entity, which stopped purchasing Jan Aushadhi products for sale in November 2025.
* The remaining JAKs are operated by private entrepreneurs and are continuing their operations.
* **Government Actions and Initiatives:**
* The matter was taken up at the Ministerial level with the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Karnataka to reconsider the decision to close JAKs.
* The government has adopted a franchisee model to open JAKs by inviting online applications from various entities, including individual entrepreneurs, NGOs, and private companies.
* The Department of Pharmaceuticals requests State and Union Territory Governments to create awareness about the scheme and provide rent-free space for opening JAKs in government hospitals, community health centres, and primary health centres.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Citizens of Karnataka**
* **Impact:** Citizens' access to affordable generic medicines through Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) within government hospitals was initially threatened.
* **Action Required:** Citizens should be aware of the ongoing legal proceedings and the availability of JAKs operated by private entrepreneurs.
**Stakeholder: State Government of Karnataka**
* **Impact:** The State Government's decision to close JAKs was challenged in court.
* **Action Required:** The State Government needs to present its case in court and consider alternative solutions to ensure access to affordable medicines.
**Stakeholder: Mysore Sales International Limited (MSIL)**
* **Impact:** MSIL stopped purchasing Jan Aushadhi products for sale in its stores.
* **Action Required:** MSIL needs to consider resuming the purchase of Jan Aushadhi products to continue providing affordable medicines to citizens.
**Stakeholder: Private Entrepreneurs operating JAKs**
* **Impact:** Private entrepreneurs are continuing to operate JAKs.
* **Action Required:** Maintain operations and ensure continued access to affordable medicines.
**Stakeholder: Union Government**
* **Impact:** Concerned about the closure of JAKs.
* **Action Required:** Continue efforts to work with the State Government to ensure access to affordable medicines and promote the opening of new JAKs.
Key Entities Referenced
Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs): Generic medicine stores in public health facilities; closure in Karnataka is the subject of the document.
Karnataka: Indian state where Jan Aushadhi Kendras were ordered to be closed.
Karnataka High Court: Judicial body that quashed the order to close Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs): Government initiative to provide affordable medicines to citizens, implemented through Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Department of Pharmaceuticals: Requests State and Union Territory Governments to create awareness about the scheme and to provide rent-free space for opening Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACEUTICALS
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION No. 112
TO BE ANSWERED ON 6th FEBRUARY, 2026
Closure of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in Karnataka
*112. Shri Tejasvi Surya:
Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has taken note of several Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Jan Aushadhi
Kendras (PMBJKs), functioning within the premises of Government hospitals in Karnataka,
being directed to close by the State Health Department;
(b) if so, the number of such Kendras affected along with the reasons cited by the State
Government for their closure;
(c) whether the Union Government has taken up the matter with the State Government to seek
reconsideration;
(d) whether the Government is aware of judicial interventions in this regard, including orders
of the Karnataka High Court staying or quashing such closure directions, if so, the details
thereof;
(e) the steps taken to ensure uninterrupted access to affordable generic medicines through Jan
Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) in public health facilities across the country, particularly in high
footfall Government hospitals especially in Karnataka; and
(f) whether the Government proposes to issue uniform guidelines to States to prevent arbitrary
disruption of JAKs and safeguard access to affordable medicines, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)
(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.Statement referred to in reply to the LOK SABHA STARRED Q. No. 112 for answer on
06.02.2026 raised by Shri Tejasvi Surya, regarding “Closure of Jan Aushadhi Kendras in
Karnataka”
The Government of India is aware of the order dated 14.05.2025 issued by the State
Government of Karnataka which recommended that action be taken to close the Jan Aushadhi
Kendras located within Government Hospital premises. Subsequent to issuance of the
aforementioned order, the Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka, in its judgment dated 10.12.2025
(WP No. 105933/2025), has quashed the impugned order and consequently, Jan Aushadhi
Kendras located in Government Hospital premises are permitted to continue their operations.
There are 191 Jan Aushadhi Kendras located within Government Hospital premises in
the State of Karnataka, out of which 82 Kendras were being operated by the Mysore Sales
International Limited (MSIL) which is a state owned entity and remaining Kendras are operated
by private entrepreneurs. The Kendras being operated by MSIL have stopped purchase of Jan
Aushadhi products for sale at their respective stores since November, 2025 while the Kendras
operated by private entrepreneurs are continuing their operations.
Subsequently, the State Government of Karnataka has filed an appeal on 14/01/2026
against the impugned judgement and the matter is listed for hearing on 2/04/2026 before the
Division bench in Hon’ble High Court of Karnataka.
The matter was taken up at the Ministerial level with the Hon’ble Chief Minister of
Karnataka with a request to reconsider the decision to close Jan Aushadhi Kendras in the State’s
Public Health facilities to ensure availability of quality medicines for the citizens.
The government has adopted a franchisee model for opening of JAKs by inviting online
applications from individual entrepreneurs, NGO, Society, Trust, Firm, Private Company etc.
This process facilitates opening of JAKs at private spaces as well as Government Hospitals
and Government premises in a similar manner.
In addition to this, the Department of Pharmaceuticals from time to time requests State
and Union Territory Governments and district administrations to create awareness about the
scheme and to provide rent-free space for opening Jan Aushadhi Kendras (JAKs) in
government hospitals, community health centres and primary health centres including those
located in block headquarters.
******