NEW DELHI: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved on Wednesday setting up of 75 government medical colleges to be attached with existing district or referral hospitals by 2021-22. The establishment of new medical colleges, under phase III of the ongoing Centrally sponsored scheme, will add at least 15,700 MBBS seats in the country.

"New medical colleges would be set up in under-served areas having no medical college; with at least 200 bedded District Hospital. Preference will be given to Aspirational Districts and District Hospital having 300 beds," the government said.

The establishment of new medical colleges, to be attached with existing district and referral hospitals, would lead to an increase in the availability of qualified health professionals, improve tertiary care in government sector, utilise existing infrastructure of district hospitals and promote affordable medical education in the country, it said.

"The scheme on establishment of new medical colleges would lead to addition of at least 15,700 MBBS seats in the country," the government said.

"Continuing   the   focus  on  creation   of  health care  infrastructure,  the Government  earlier  approved  to  establish  58  new medical  colleges attached with existing district/referral hospitals under Phase-I and 24 under Phase-II.  Of this, 39 medical colleges under Phase-I, have already started functioning, while the remaining 19 would be made functional by 2020-21. Under Phase-II, 18 new medical colleges have been approved," the statement said.

The Union Cabinet has also approved sugar export policy for evacuation of surplus stocks during sugar season 2019-20; nearly 60 lakh tonnes sugar to be exported in this financial year.

"The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for providing a lump sum export subsidy @ Rs. 10,448 per Metric Tonne (MT) to sugar mills for the sugar season 2019-20.  The total estimated expenditure of about Rs.6,268 crore will be incurred for this purpose," the government said.