Rs 1, 350 cr for medical colleges

The decision to this effect was cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) at its meeting chaired by the prime minister here. This project, floated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is proposed to be implemented through central funding during the Eleventh Plan (2007-12), an official spokesperson said after the Cabinet meeting.

The Centre will fund the state government medical colleges by way of a one-time grant of Rs 1, 350 crore under a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) with funding pattern of 75 per cent by the Central government and 25 per cent by the state government for starting new PG  disciplines and increasing PG seats. Release of funds under the scheme will be made conditional upon states committing to incur necessary recurring expenditure for maintaining the facilities created under the scheme after the Eleventh Plan period.

Funds will be disbursed directly to the heads of the medical colleges in two installments.  The state governments will undertake to return the funds if the stipulated increase in PG seats/starting PG disciplines do not fructify within the prescribed period.

The proposal including quantum of funding will be decided by the Empowered Committee to be constituted under the Chairmanship of Union Health Secretary, spokesperson said. The approval will result in an additional 5,000 seats in PG courses in as many as 148 state government medical colleges in pre and para clinical disciplines like Anatomy, Microbiology, Physiology, Pharmacology, Bio-chemistry, Forensic Medicine, Community Medicine and certain clinical disciplines like Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Pediatrics, Anaesthesiology, General Medicine and General Surgery.