Assam to set up 5 new medical colleges; 1 more in Guwahati

Guwahati: Assam's health minister Himanta Biswa Sarma today informed that the Assam government is going to set up a new medical college in the state's capital city of Guwahati, which will be the second medical college in the state capital.

The Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), located in the city's Bhanggagarh area, became operational on September 20, 1960.

"This year we have kickstarted an initiative to establish new medical colleges at Biswanath Chariali, Charaideo, Goalpara and the second one in Guwahati", Sarma said during his address at the 74th Independence Day celebrations in Central Assam's Morigaon district.

The Minister further informed that 70% percent of the work for the AIIMS at Changsari has been completed already. Sarma also informed that a new medical college shall also soon be set up in Morigaon and the process has been initiated already.

During his address, Sarma also informed the gathering about the Government's flagship Orunodoi (the rising sun) scheme will transfer ₹ 830 per month to 19.7 lakh families. 

Around 15,000 to 17,000 families will directly benefit from the scheme in each of Assam's 60 constituencies of the state legislative assembly, Mr Sarma added. It will cost the government ₹ 210 crores and was part of this year's budget, Sarma had informed the press recently.

The local authorities will identify the beneficiaries with the help of volunteers and the MLAs shall play an important role in the implementation of Orunodoi.

The family will have to nominate a woman for this scheme and the said amount shall be directly transferred to her account. When there is a calamity like floods or a special occasion like Durga Puja or Bihu, the allowance could be increased based on the Assam Government's financial capability. Beneficiary identification will start from August 17 onwards.

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