148 govt medical colleges to be upgraded

Updated on: Friday, February 19, 2010

New Delhi: The union cabinet Thursday approved a proposal to upgrade 148 state government medical colleges by starting new post-graduate disciplines which will result in 5,000 more seats. As result of these revised norms, approximately 3000 PG seats will be added in the Government medical colleges/institutes from the ensuing academic session 2010-11. Besides this, the routine increase would be to the tune of 1000 seats.

The total PG seats are expected to increase by additional 4000 seats in the forthcoming academic year over and above existing 13500 PG seats. The private medical colleges will also be able to increase the PG seats as per revised norms, from the next academic year 2011-12.

"The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved a proposal from Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on strengthening and upgradation of state government medical colleges for starting new post-graduate disciplines and increasing PG seats by central funding during the 11th plan period," said a government press release.The cabinet panel agreed to release a one-time grant of Rs.1,350 crore to fund state government medical colleges, under a new centrally-sponsored scheme.

This scheme would allow for 75 percent central funding and the rest by the state government for increasing seats in new disciplines like anatomy, pharmacology, paediatrics and anaesthesiology.The central government's release of funds will be conditional on states committing to incur necessary expenditure for maintaining the facilities.

"Funds will be disbursed directly to the head of the institute in two instalments. The state government will undertake to refund the funds if the stipulated increase in PG seats/starting PG disciplines do not fructify within the prescribed period," said the press release. The approval will result in an additional 5,000 seats in post-graduate courses in 148 state government medical colleges, it added.

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