Shimla: The Union government has given its nod to renew 85 seats in two medical colleges of Himachal Pradesh, a senior state official said on Saturday.
The Union Health Ministry gave its consent to renew 35 seats at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla and 50 seats at Tanda Medical College in Kangra for 2014-15. With this, the number of seats in the two colleges will increase from 115 to 200.
"We have received a communication from the government in this regard and expect to receive the letter within next two three days," Additional Chief Secretary Vineet Chowdhary said today.
The Centre took the decision on the recommendation to Medical Council of India (MCI). The MCI had earlier recommended to the Centre against renewing the seats, pointing out certain shortcomings in the basic requirements.
The state government then put up its case before the MCI and assured it of removing the shortcomings.
The number of seats in IGMC (set up in 1966) was increased from 65 to 100, while the seats in Tanda Medical College (established in 1996) were increased from 50 to 100 four years ago. The increased seats are renewed every year.
A difficult situation had arisen this year as the state government held counselling for 200 seats, but admitted only 115 students in the two colleges and the fate of 85 students hung in the balance.
