Government  today denied that Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras, PMBJP, are facing any shortage of medicines. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Union Chemicals and Fertilizers Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda said sometimes, some drugs are not available for non-receipt of valid bids for a particular drug in a tender floated by the Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India, BPPI, or non-supply by a vendor. He said BPPI has received only 46 complaints related to the shortage of medicines till 27th November this year in the current fiscal. The Minister said the product basket of BPPI comprises of 802 drugs and 155 surgicals. At present, 667 drugs and 56 surgicals are available for sale at PMBJP Kendras.<br />'' <br />''Replying to another question, Mr Gowda said 5,816 Janaushadhi Kendras are functional across the country till 27th November this year. He said Centre has also planned to open one thousand new Janaushadhi Kendras and planned to cover all districts of the country by the end of current fiscal. The Minister said PMBJP has covered 689 districts out of 725 districts of the country.<br />