Government on March 10, 2006 announced that six AIIMS-type medical institutes would be set up in the country and nine more state government medical institutes upgraded to the world-class level.

"A final decision would be taken in the next few days and hopefully the work will start before the financial year closes," Finance Minister P Chidambaram said winding up the discussion on the general budget 2006-07 in the Lok Sabha.

The six AIIMS-type medical institutes would come up in Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttranchal and Chattisgarh, he said. Last year's budget had provided Rs 270 crore for this purpose.

The state government medical colleges or institutes that would be upgraded to AIIMS-level would be in Jammu and Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Jharkand, Gujarat and West Bengal, he said.

Chidambaram promised there would be no cut in food and fertiliser subsidies, particularly in those which are truly meant for the poor. The PDS system will continue.

( www.financialexpress.com)