Patna: The retirement age of doctors on contract will be extended from 65 to 67 years, the state cabinet decided on Wednesday.

Cabinet secretariat special secretary Upendra Nath Pandey said the health department has empowered the State Health Society to extend the retirement age of contract doctors in government service as well as those working under the National Health Mission from 65 to 67 years depending on their character, service and duty.

Other decisions taken at Wednesday's cabinet meeting included okaying a five-day monsoon session of the state legislature (July 20 to 26) pending approval from the governor, marking 25 acres of land in Saran district for a medical college and 50 acres at Rafiganj in Aurangabad for an engineering college.

The cabinet also okayed Rs 1,029 crore to 141 urban local bodies as per recommendations of the 5th state finance commission, and upgrading the Guru Gobind Singh sub-divisional hospital in Patna City to a sadar hospital.