AP govt to operate 10 medical colleges under PPP model

Vijayawada: Medical and health minister Satya Kumar Yadav informed the Assembly that the govt will operate 10 medical colleges under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model over the next 2 financial years. Replying to questions raised by members in the House on govt medical colleges and their progress, the minister said that a total of 17 colleges were sanctioned earlier. While 11 were approved under NABARD funding, 3 were supported by the Centre and 3 were under the Saski scheme. He said that the total estimated project cost for these institutions stands at ₹8,480 crore. However, he alleged that during the previous regime, only ₹1,500 crore was spent on these colleges. "Nearly ₹500 crore was spent on the Pulivendula Medical College alone, while the remaining colleges were neglected," he said, accusing the earlier administration of discrimination in the allocation of funds. Satya Kumar said that after the coalition govt assumed office, works worth ₹900 crore were taken up and executed to expedite construction and infrastructure development in the pending colleges. He maintained that the present govt is committed to ensuring that the sanctioned institutions become operational at the earliest. The minister also accused leaders of the YSR Congress Party of spreading false propaganda that the medical colleges were already completed during their tenure. "The facts clearly show the slow pace of spending and incomplete works," he said. He explained that they proposed to take up the remaining 10 medical colleges in PPP, with each college having 150 seats instead of 100 seats, as proposed by the previous regime. He said that the increase in seats will help poor students from the State. Referring specifically to Parvathipuram, Satya Kumar said that even basic land acquisition was not initiated for the proposed medical college there under the previous govt. Criticising what he termed as 5 years of "anarchic rule", the minister said the YSRCP is now reduced to 11 seats in the Assembly but continues to issue threats instead of engaging in constructive opposition.