The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has given approval for setting up of 75 new government medical colleges in the country. These colleges will be set up by 2020-21.
Union minister Prakash Javadekar said preference would be given to the areas which were not served by such colleges. The new colleges in unserved areas will be attached with the existing district hospitals with 200 beds. Preference will also be given to the aspirational district hospitals which have 300 beds facility. These colleges will be built on an expenditure of Rs 24,375 crore.
These colleges will be in addition to the 58 new hospitals announced during the phase I and 24 in phase II. With the setting up of 75 new colleges, there will be creation of 15,700 new MBBS seats.
Javadekar said there was a need for more doctors. The ratio of availability of doctors with the population is much less than that in the developed countries. The benefit will accrue to the poor as medical education will become affordable.
Under the National Medical Commission (NMC), the government medical college seats will be under the regulated fee structure.
Sugar export policy
In another decision, the cabinet also approved sugar export policy for the evacuation of surplus stocks of sugar during the 2019-20 season. About 60 lakh tonnes of sugar would be exported during this financial year. For this, the government will give subsidy to the tune of Rs 6268 crore. The government said the money would be credited directly to the accounts of the farmers.
CDRI
In another decision, the cabinet has approved the establishment of an International Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI). Prime Minister Narendra Mod will launch the CDRI during the UN Climate Summit in New York on September 23, 2019. The government will spend Rs 480 crore for setting up its office.
