Punjab : Livestock farmers in Punjab are set to benefit from a major relief initiative as the Bhagwant Mann-led state government prepares to roll out ‘Blue Cross’ veterinary medicine stores in six districts. The programme aims to improve access to quality animal healthcare by offering subsidised veterinary medicines directly through government-run veterinary polyclinics.
Providing details of the initiative, Punjab Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Dairy Development Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian said the move is intended to ease the financial pressure on livestock farmers while strengthening the rural economy. He emphasised that the government is focused on ensuring the timely availability of authentic veterinary medicines at affordable prices.
Under the scheme, farmers will be able to purchase generic veterinary medicines at a 30 percent discount, while branded medicines will be available at 20 percent lower prices at Blue Cross outlets. The pricing model, the minister said, balances affordability with strict quality and safety standards.
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Blue Cross Stores to Offer One-Stop Animal Healthcare Inside Veterinary Polyclinics
The Blue Cross medicine stores will operate within modern veterinary polyclinics in Gurdaspur, Patiala, Ludhiana, Sangrur, Sri Muktsar Sahib and Amritsar. These polyclinics are already equipped with advanced Indoor Patient Department (IPD) facilities, which were introduced last year to enhance institutional animal healthcare services across the state.
Explaining the advantages of the initiative, Khudian noted that locating medicine outlets within polyclinics will provide end-to-end care under one roof, from diagnosis to treatment and follow-up. Direct access to verified medicines is expected to reduce delays, improve treatment effectiveness, and promote preventive animal healthcare practices among farmers.
Reiterating the government’s commitment, the minister said the welfare of farmers and the health of their livestock are closely linked. He added that the Blue Cross initiative is a significant step towards improving both farm incomes and animal well-being by making veterinary care more affordable and accessible.
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Principal Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Rahul Bhandari, said the programme highlights the state government’s strong administrative focus on supporting the agrarian sector. He added that such initiatives would enhance livestock productivity, strengthen dairy and allied industries, and reinforce Punjab’s leadership in livestock welfare and rural development.