Centre approves proposal to add 200 seats to VSS, MKCG

BHUBANESWAR: The Centre has approved the state governmetnt's proposal to increase MBBS seats at two government-run medical colleges of the states by 200 seats, Union health minister Jagat Prakash Nadda told the Lok Sabha in a written reply on Friday.
The increase, however, won't be effective in this academic year as funds were not released.
According to Nadda's reply, the Centre has approved hike in MBBS intake capacity of VSS Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla, and MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, by 100 seats, from 150 to 250, each.
Under the centrally sponsored scheme (CSS) for 'Up-gradation of existing state government/central government medical colleges to increase MBBS seats in the country,' the Centre has approved 21 proposals from across the country, including the two colleges in Odisha, the minister said. However, no funds were available under the scheme this year, he added.
The government plans to increase undergraduate medical seats in the country by about 10,000 at a total cost of Rs 10,000 crore, with a proposed central assistance of Rs.7,500 crore and states' share of Rs 2,500 crore.
For states such as Odisha, the funding will be in the ratio of 70% by the Centre and 30% by the state. For special category and northeast states, the funding pattern is 90:10.
The state government has been trying to increase MBBS seats at the two colleges since 2012-13. However, owing to infrastructure inadequacy and faculty shortage, the Medical Council of India did not approve the hike in the past.
VIMSAR director Sonamali Bag said the central scheme should be implemented at the earliest to increase the seats. "We have been approaching the MCI for quite some time, bur our proposals were not being considered because of the shortcomings in infrastructure and faculty," he said.
The state's other government medical college, SCB in Cuttack, already has 250 MBBS seats.
The health ministry of the UPA II government had sanctioned Rs 150 crore each to the two hospitals at Burla and Berhampur for infrastructure upgrade under Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) Phase-III. The superspecality care wings of the two hospitals are being upgraded using the funds. This, however, has got nothing to do with MBBS seats.
Five new medical colleges attached with district headquarters hospitals are coming up in the state with central aid. These colleges at Puri, Balasore, Balangir, Baripada and Koraput will have 100 MBBS seats each. The infrastructure cost for the institutes will be Rs 128 crore each. Foundation stones for the colleges at Puri and Baripada have already been laid.