To further improve and streamline the functioning of State’s Government medical colleges, Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday approved the creation of 550 posts in these institutions at Patiala andAmritsar.
The new posts include 66 paramedics of technical nature, 464 critical posts of nurses, technicians and Class IV employees and 20 posts of Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VDRL)/Multi-disciplinary Research Units (MRU) lab projects, said an official spokesperson after the Cabinet meeting.
The spokesperson said that these posts would be instrumental in putting into use the medical machinery, equipment and infrastructure, lying idle due to paucity of staff, thus providing better healthcare services to the people.
In addition, the Cabinet gave nod for creation and filling up of five new posts in the Directorate of Medical Education and Research, along with revival of the already sanctioned nine posts under its restructuring plan.
Spokesperson said that this initiative would help provide the latest laboratory tests to the
general public, and also meet the minimum requisite conditions, in conformity with the guidelines of the Medical Council of India, so as to make these institutions research-oriented.
It may be noted that a high power committee, under the chairmanship of the Advisor (Health and Medical Education) Dr KK Talwar, which was constituted for restructuring and revamping the medical colleges, had recommended the creation or revival of these posts in order to put into use the existing working machinery and equipment or infrastructure, and also to upgrade the facilities available in the Government Medical Colleges at Patiala and Amritsar.
GMC MOHALI TO BE NAMED AS DR B R AMBEDKAR STATE INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
As a tribute to legendary statesman and father of the Indian Constitution Dr B R Ambedkar, the Cabinet okayed the renaming of Government Medical College, SAS Nagar Mohali, as Dr B R Ambedkar State Institute of Medical Sciences.
The upcoming medical college would be instrumental in serving the Government's purpose of providing affordable healthcare to the public, as well as giving students the opportunity to pursue a career in medical education, said the spokesperson.
Notably, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had conveyed its decision to establish a medical college in SAS Nagar district (Mohali) with enabling provisions for 100 MBBS seats under the centrally sponsored scheme of ‘Establishment of New Medical College attached with the existing District or Referral Hospitals’ having more than 200 beds strength.
Rs 650 CR FOR REJUVENATING BUDDAH NALLAH IN FIRST PHASE
To undertake rejuvenation of highly-polluting Buddah Nallah in Ludhiana, Punjab Cabinet on Tuesday okayed Rs 650 crore project for the same in the first phase.
Under this ambitious plan, an additional Sewerage Treatment Plan having capacity of 275 MLD including associated infrastructure would be developed, which would go a long way in solving problems of Buddah Nallah and subsequent pollution of river Satlej, said the Government spokesperson.
It may be recalled that the pollution in Buddah Nallah is a major threat to the public health and environment. The main sources of pollution in Buddah Nallah are direct flow into the Nallah by industries, dairies and some slum or localities, treated effluent from existing STPs based on UASB technology not meeting the required effluent quality, and overflow from sewer lines as the capacity of laid sewerage system and STPs is insufficient to carry the existing flows.
Taking serious view of pollution in the drains, streams and rivers in the State, the National Green Tribunal has already directed the State Government to take proactive steps to immediately address this problem.
1% ADDITIONAL STAMP DUTY ON SALE/PURCHASE OF URBAN PROPERTIES
To fund water supply and environment improvement programs in urban areas, the Cabient has also approved the proposal of levying one percent additional stamp duty on registration of sale or purchase of urban properties.