New Delhi, Sept. 8 -- The Centre is set to tighten the rules for women seeking financial assistance to open Jan Aushadhi Kendras, government-backed outlets that sell low-cost generic medicines. Under the proposed terms of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), from next month, a woman seeking the Rs.2 lakh incentive must be a registered pharmacist and run the store in her own name, according to two officials and a document reviewed by Mint.

Under the scheme, special categories of people, including women entrepreneurs, get a one-time assistance of Rs.2 lakh.

The new rules of the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI), under the department of pharmaceuticals, aim to encourage women pharmacy graduat...