Patna, May 15: The state cabinet today approved the increase in the strength of different categories of teaching and non-teaching posts in Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) and Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) to meet Medical Council of India’s norms.

The cabinet gave its nod for creation of additional 123 teaching posts of different categories in PMCH to deal with the increased seats in its MBBS course, cabinet co-ordination department principal secretary Ravikant said. Seats in PMCH has been increased to 150 from 100 .

The cabinet also approved the creation of 700 additional teaching and non-teaching posts of different categories to cater to the needs of the newly introduced MBBS course at the IGIMS, Ravikant said. Of the 700 new posts, 122 belong to teaching category. They include the posts of professors, associate professors, assistant professors, medical superintendents, senior and junior residents, tutors, nursing superintendent and others.

IGIMS, with 100 seats, had started its MBBS course from the last academic session.

The cabinet also approved amendments in guidelines for implementing the Chief Minister Area Development Scheme, Ravikant said.

Earlier, the scheme was to be implemented on the basis of area and population. It created a lot of confusion. As a result, the cabinet decided that the scheme would now be implemented constituency wise and not area wise. Under the scheme, legislators can recommend execution of development schemes of up to Rs 1 crore in each constituency. There would be untied funds, which could be utilised anywhere in the state with the consent of the chief minister. The funds would be utilised in those schemes, which have not been covered by any scheme of the state government, he said.

Now, changes in guideline of the scheme, if any, would not have to be put up before the cabinet for approval.

It also decided that Mohammed Yunus’s birthday on May 4 would be celebrated as a state function. Yunus was the first Prime Minister of the state (later the post came to be known as chief minister).

The cabinet decided to set up two traffic police stations, the principal secretary said and added that the two new police stations would be set up at Bypass and Saguna Mor. Total 32 posts have been created for the two police stations. There would be one post of inspector, six each of sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors and three wireless operators in each police station.

The cabinet also approved the creation of six posts of research assistants at state archives directorate in the cabinet co-ordination department, Ravikant said.

It also approved Rs 578.56 crore funds and creation of 3,486 posts for updating and computerising digital record of land holdings/plots. The survey would be completed over three years’ time with the Centre and state spending Rs 394.21 crore and Rs 184.35 crore respectively. The posts created are temporary and would be filled on contract basis.