Himachal Gets 320 New PG Medical Seats with Rs. 415 Crore Central Grant.
Shimla:
The approval of 320 new postgraduate (PG) medical seats in six government medical colleges of Himachal Pradesh, along with a central grant of approximately Rs. 415 crore, has been welcomed by former minister and senior BJP leader Govind Singh Thakur and BJP chief spokesperson and Sundernagar MLA Rakesh Jamwal.
Both leaders expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda, describing the decision as a significant step towards strengthening medical education and healthcare services in the state.
Govind Singh Thakur said the approval would expand opportunities for medical graduates to pursue postgraduate specialisations and help improve the availability of specialist doctors in Himachal Pradesh. He urged the state government to complete all necessary formalities promptly to ensure the seats become operational within the stipulated timeframe.
Rakesh Jamwal said the Centre had recognised the state’s requirements and taken an important decision to strengthen medical education. He added that the initiative reflected the Union government’s commitment to expanding medical education and improving healthcare infrastructure.
According to Jamwal, the 320 approved PG seats have been distributed among six government medical colleges. Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Shimla, has received 91 seats, while Hamirpur Medical College and Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, have received 57 seats each. Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Medical College, Nerchowk, Mandi, has been allocated 55 seats, Nahan Medical College 32 and Chamba Medical College 28 seats.
Jamwal said increasing postgraduate seats would help develop specialists in fields such as surgery, orthopaedics, gynaecology and obstetrics, paediatrics and oncology. This would strengthen the state’s capacity to provide specialised treatment and create additional educational opportunities for aspiring doctors.
He also urged the state government to accelerate the construction of critical care blocks and public health laboratories being developed with central assistance.
Furthermore, Jamwal called for the early resolution of pending issues concerning land acquisition and the state’s financial contribution to the Chandigarh-Baddi and Bhanupali-Bilaspur railway projects.
Both leaders emphasised the need for timely implementation of the approved seats so that medical students and patients could benefit from the initiative at the earliest.
