Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti V Somanna has written a letter to Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to reverse the decision of the state Government to close down Jan Aushadhi Kendras. He has appealed to withdraw the decision,n saying that for over 15 years, Jan Aushadhi Kendras in the state have been providing affordable medicines and surgical items to the people. Calling the decision anti poor the Union Minister has asked the Chief Minister about the circumstances that compelled the State Government to take such a decision against public welfare. He has urged the Chief Minister to reconsider the decision in the interest of the backwards, poor and disadvantaged sections of society. The State Health and Family Welfare department had taken a decision to close down Jan Aushadhi kendras functioning near the Government Hospitals following its direction to purchase generic medicines directly from the Bureau of Pharma PSUs and distribute it to the patients free of cost.