Will lay foundation stone for six medical colleges soon, says Siddaramaiah

Mysuru: In an indication of the government’s commitment to providing medical education, chief minister Siddaramaiah on Friday said that six

medical colleges

would be developed across the state, work on which would begin either later this month or in January.

Siddaramaiah, who unveiled the statue of the former legislator K Puttaswamy at the Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering, said, “I will lay the foundation stone for six government medical colleges in December and January to provide opportunities for rural students, and those from underprivileged sections of the society.”

The CM said that nearly 2,700 students from rural areas and economically weak background would benefit from the move.

Pointing to the role he had played in increasing the number of medical colleges across Karnataka, the CM said, “There were only four medical colleges across the state. When I became finance minister, I sanctioned medical colleges in the state, and today there are 18 medical educational institutions.”

Siddaramaiah said that there was a need for a government medical college and hospital in each district, which could provide medical education and healthcare for the poor. “My father always wanted me to become a doctor. I studied high school in Kannada medium at Vidya Vardhaka High School in 1964, and passed with flying colours. I stood first in class but when I joined Yuvaraja’s College, and studied science in English medium, I started lagging behind and became second class student,” said the CM.

Siddaramaiah, however, quipped that he wouldn’t have become the chief minister had he become a doctor.

Heaping praise on former legislator K Puttaswamy, he said, “Puttaswamy was an unusual politician and a great Parliamentarian. He was a gifted speaker, and his speeches were very meaningful. He is an inspiration to new politicians. He was concerned about the society, and was an honest politician.”