New Delhi, Feb 18 (IANS) The union cabinet Thursday approved a proposal to upgrade 148 state government medical colleges by starting new post-graduate disciplines which will result in 5,000 more seats.

'The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved a proposal from Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on strengthening and upgradation of state government medical colleges for starting new post-graduate disciplines and increasing PG seats by central funding during the 11th plan period,' said a government press release.

The cabinet panel agreed to release a one-time grant of Rs.1,350 crore to fund state government medical colleges, under a new centrally-sponsored scheme.

This scheme would allow for 75 percent central funding and the rest by the state government for increasing seats in new disciplines like anatomy, pharmacology, paediatrics and anaesthesiology.

The central government's release of funds will be conditional on states committing to incur necessary expenditure for maintaining the facilities.

'Funds will be disbursed directly to the head of the institute in two instalments. The state government will undertake to refund the funds if the stipulated increase in PG seats/starting PG disciplines do not fructify within the prescribed period,' said the press release.

The approval will result in an additional 5,000 seats in post-graduate courses in 148 state government medical colleges, it added.