New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved a proposal from Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on strengthening and upgradation of 148 state government medical colleges for starting new postgraduate disciplines and increasing 5000 PG seats by central funding during XI Plan period. The Committee approved the proposals as under:

i. Funding the state government medical colleges by way of a one-time grant of Rs.1350 crore under a new Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) with funding pattern of 75% by central government and 25% by state government for starting new postgraduate disciplines and increasing PG seats.

ii. Release of funds under the scheme should be made conditional upon states committing to incur necessary recurring expenditure for maintaining the facilities created under the scheme after XI Plan period.

iii. Funds will be disbursed directly to the head of the institute in two installments. 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.

iv. The proposal including quantum of funding will be decided by the empowered committee to be constituted under the chairmanship of the Union Health Secretary.

"The approval will result in an additional 5000 seats in PG courses in 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 Obstretrics & Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Anaesthesiology, General Medicine and General Surgery etc. It will also result in strengthening the existing public health delivery system," said an official.