Handwara, Dec 25 (KNS): The Jammu Kashmir administration is all set to admit first batch of students at Government Medical College Handwara in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
An official told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that to make the college functional, a building has been identified on rent and posts to invite applications for faculty positions have also been invited.
He said the government has intensified the process to admit the first batch of 100 students at GMC Handwara during the academic session 2023-24.
Meanwhile, work on GMC Handwara is underway, as several steps in this regard have been taken and the work is expected to be complete within the stipulated time.
Officials said in this regard government has released Rs 173 crores, which have been kept at the disposal of the Principal, GMC Srinagar
Dr. Yashpal Sharma, who is working as Director Coordination for five new medical colleges said they have identified a rented accommodation for GMC Handwara and hopefully classes for 100 students will be started from the next academic year, while faculty arrangements are also being made.
He also said the work on GMC Handwara is going on in full swung and hopefully it will be completed soon
Notably, Central government in 2019 approved establishment of new government medical college attached with existing district and referral hospital Handwara.
The college would be set up at a cost of Rs 325 crore under a centrally-sponsored scheme in existing district and referral hospitals on 90:10 funding pattern.
Out of the total amount, Rs 115 crore shall be expended on construction of Administrative and Academic Blocks, Rs. 80 crore will be spent on hostels and residential accommodation for students and faculty while Rs. 60 crore for up-gradation of existing teaching faculty at District Hospital.
Rs. 70 crore will be spent for procurement of machinery and equipments for government medical college and its associated hospital.
GMC Handwara is one of the major projects for the district which will provide major relief to the vast population of Kupwara in terms of augmented healthcare facilities. (KNS)