Chandigarh: In a major relief for livestock farmers, the Punjab Government is set to roll out ‘Blue Cross’ veterinary medicine stores across six districts to make advanced animal healthcare more affordable and accessible. The initiative aims to reduce medical expenses for farmers while strengthening the rural livestock economy.
Discounted Medicines to Ease Financial Burden
Sharing details of the scheme, Punjab Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said livestock farmers will receive significant discounts on veterinary medicines at Blue Cross stores.
Under the initiative:
- 30% discount will be provided on all generic veterinary medicines
- 20% discount will be offered on branded medicines
The move is designed to ensure affordability without compromising on the quality of animal healthcare.
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Stores to Be Set Up in Advanced Veterinary Polyclinics
The Blue Cross stores will be established within state-of-the-art veterinary polyclinics located in:
- Gurdaspur
- Patiala
- Ludhiana
- Sangrur
- Sri Muktsar Sahib
- Amritsar
These polyclinics already offer advanced Indoor Patient Department (IPD) services, which were launched last year as part of the Punjab government’s efforts to build multi-specialty animal healthcare infrastructure across the state.
Focus on Livestock Health and Farmer Prosperity
Minister Khudian emphasized that livestock health is directly linked to farmers’ income and rural prosperity.
“Our farmers are the backbone of Punjab’s prosperity. The Blue Cross stores are a key step toward health and prosperity by making quality animal healthcare affordable and accessible,” he said.
He added that the initiative will encourage preventive animal care, protect farmers’ income, and reduce dependence on expensive private veterinary services.
Seamless Healthcare from Diagnosis to Recovery
The Animal Husbandry Minister noted that placing medicine stores within veterinary polyclinics will ensure direct access to genuine medicines, saving critical time during treatment.
The integration of pharmacy services with IPD facilities will create a seamless continuum of care—from diagnosis and treatment to recovery—leading to healthier livestock and higher productivity.
Strengthening Rural and Dairy Economies
Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Rahul Bhandari, highlighted the government’s commitment to strengthening Punjab’s agrarian and livestock ecosystem.
He said the initiative would uplift stakeholders across the animal husbandry value chain and further reinforce Punjab’s position as a leader in livestock welfare and rural prosperity.
Key Benefits of the ‘Blue Cross’ Initiative
- Affordable access to quality veterinary medicines
- Reduced financial burden on livestock farmers
- Faster and safer treatment within polyclinics
- Improved livestock health and productivity
- Stronger dairy and allied rural economies
The launch of Blue Cross veterinary medicine stores marks a significant step toward sustainable livestock development and farmer welfare in Punjab.
