Question : MEDICAL COLLEGES

(a) whether the Government proposes to open new medical colleges in the backward and underserved/unserved areas across the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof, State/ UT-wise alongwith the criteria adopted for the purpose;

(c) whether the Government also proposes to rationalize the infrastructural requirements for the opening up of medical colleges in the cities, in view of the depleting land availability in urban areas;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether any proposal is also under the consideration of the Government to pursue corporate hospital chains/private sector to open medical colleges and to introduce medical courses in 300 bedded hospitals in the country; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and the relaxations in norms made/proposed to be made in this regard?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI DINESH TRIVEDI)

(a) to (d) To facilitate setting up of more medical colleges without diluting the standards, the Government has revised norms in the Medical Council of India Regulations by rationalizing land requirements from 25 acres to 20 acres.

In metropolitan and A-grade cities, the land requirement is 10 acres with the permissible FAR norms. In the case of notified tribal areas, NE States, Hill States and Union Territories of A&N Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, two parcels land are allowed with a distance of not more than 10 kms separating them. Bed strength and bed occupancy norms have also been relaxed in respect of these areas.

(e) & (f) The Medical Council of India Regulations vide notification dated 01st December 2008 have been amended allowing companies registered under Company Act to open medical colleges. The permission shall be withdrawn if the colleges resort to commercialization. Presently, there is no proposal to allow starting of Post Graduate Medical Courses in private hospitals.