Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), Feb 23 Labour and Employment Minister Oscar Fernandes laid the foundation stone of Himachal Pradesh's first Employees State Insurance Corporation Medical College at Nerchowk in Mandi District's Balh area on Monday.

The Employees Insurance Scheme (ESI) medical college, a one thousand crore rupees project, is also nation's first such college. It will have state of the art design and facilities.

Speaking on the occasion, Fernandes said the first academic session of the college would start in 2011-2012. He also said that 14 per cent of the seats would be reserved for students of Himachal Pradesh.

Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal said the State Government has allocated 31 hectares for the project. (ANI)