The government on July 18 gave its nod to a proposal of the Uttar Pradesh government for establishment of a new medical college at Deoria.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the proposal for setting up the college by upgrading the district hospital at Deoria at a cost of Rs 250 crore under Phase-II of a centrally sponsored scheme. Under Phase-II of the scheme for establishment of new medical colleges attached with existing district or referral hospitals, the criteria for one medical in every three parliamentary constituencies and one government medical college in each state was adopted.

"Accordingly, a requirement of 24 additional medical colleges including eight medical colleges in Uttar Pradesh has been approved. Out of the eight identified blocks in UP, the Block-6 consists of Ghosi,Salempur and Ballia parliamentary Constituencies. "The state government of Uttar Pradesh has recommended for establishment of Medical Colleges, Salempur at Deoria by up-gradation of District Hospital, Deoria," an official statement said.

The state government has informed that Salempur is part of district Deoria and Salempur parliamentary constituency is partly covered under Deoria district. The District Hospital, Deoria is also suitable as it has sufficient number of beds and other facilities including availability of land as per MCI norms for the establishment of medical college the identified Block, the statement further added.