4,000 additional medical seats approved

A total of 4,000 additional post-graduate medical seats would be created with the union cabinet approving the continuation of a centrally-sponsored scheme for strengthening and upgradation of state government medical colleges.

The approval for continuation of the schemes was given by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) at a meeting held here Thursday, an official release said.

The continuation of the scheme at a total cost of Rs.13.5 billion will result in an increase of about 4,000 seats, with proposed central assistance share of Rs.11.24 billion and state and union territory share of Rs.2.26 billion.

The funding pattern will be 75:25 by central and state governments. Out of Rs.11.24 billion, an amount of Rs.6.8 billion has already been released to 72 government medical colleges, the release said.

The scheme was launched in 2009-10.