Punjab Newsline,Chandigarh :
Livestock farmers to get up to 30% discount on medicines as Bhagwant Mann Government rolls out initiative in six districts
Punjab’s livestock farmers are set to get major relief as the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government prepares to launch ‘Blue Cross’ veterinary medicine stores across six districts of the state. The initiative aims to make quality animal healthcare more accessible, affordable and efficient by providing discounted medicines directly within government veterinary polyclinics.
Sharing details of the programme, Punjab Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said the move would significantly reduce the financial burden on livestock farmers while strengthening the rural economy. He said the government is committed to ensuring that farmers get timely access to genuine veterinary medicines at reasonable prices.
Under the scheme, livestock farmers will receive a 30 percent discount on generic veterinary medicines and a 20 percent discount on branded medicines at ‘Blue Cross’ stores. The minister said the pricing structure has been designed to ensure affordability without compromising on the quality or safety of medicines.
The ‘Blue Cross’ veterinary medicine stores will be set up within state-of-the-art veterinary polyclinics located in Gurdaspur, Patiala, Ludhiana, Sangrur, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Amritsar districts. These polyclinics already provide advanced Indoor Patient Department (IPD) services, which were introduced last year as part of the state’s efforts to build a strong institutional animal healthcare system.
Highlighting the benefits of the initiative, Gurmeet Singh Khudian said that placing medicine stores within polyclinics will ensure a seamless continuum of care—from diagnosis to treatment and recovery—under one roof. He added that direct access to authentic medicines will save valuable time, improve treatment outcomes and encourage preventive healthcare practices among farmers.
“Our farmers are the backbone of Punjab’s prosperity. The health of their livestock is directly linked to their income and well-being. ‘Blue Cross’ stores are a crucial step towards ensuring both health and prosperity by making animal healthcare affordable and accessible,” the minister said.
Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Rahul Bhandari, said the initiative reflects the government’s strong administrative commitment to strengthening the agrarian ecosystem. He added that such measures would further boost livestock productivity, support dairy and allied sectors, and consolidate Punjab’s position as a leader in livestock welfare and rural development.