Tamil Nadu on Friday sought the Union government’s permission to start 30 new nursing colleges besides six new medical colleges for the newly formed districts in the state.
Health minister Ma Subramanian and a team of officials who met Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya asked the Centre to return the six vacant MBBS seats under the All-India Quota for admission through state counselling in 2022 admission and exemption from NEET for Medical Admissions as a part of 11 demands.
After meeting Mandaviya in Delhi, Subramanian said the state’s policy was to start a medical college in every district. “We have asked permission for six new medical colleges in newly formed districts.
Now, with every existing medical college, we want to start nursing courses. The Union minister agreed with the policy and has agreed to take this for discussion,” he said. Officials said besides creating more human resources, the nursing colleges will also create manpower in medical college hospitals where students will do internships.
Subramanian said he urged the Union ministries of home, health, AYUSH and higher education to submit documents that will help the President give assent for state bills seeking exemption for TN students from NEET. The state also opposed the draft Post Graduate Medical Education Regulations, he said.
Mandaviya told him preparatory work was on for construction of All India Institute of Medical Science in Madurai. The Centre will tie up with the contractor for drawing fresh plans by next week.
“The minister has said he would consider the state’s request for a second AIIMS in Coimbatore.”
The state has also asked the Centre to grant permission for 50 more primary health centres.
