Bangalore: In a major policy decision, Karnataka on November 4 granted "essential certificate" to start 13 new dental, nursing, ayurveda and pharmacy colleges in the private sector, besides approving hike in students intake in four colleges.

Minister for Information, Kagodu Thimmappa briefing the press on Cabinet meeting decisions, said that the government gave the nod to establish a dental college in the city, five nursing colleges, three Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine Sciences courses and four Pharmacy course colleges.

He said that approval has also been given to enhancing intake of students in R V Dental colleges in post graduate (PG) courses by 46 seats and in two ayurvedic colleges.

Thimmappa said that permission has been given to an ayurvedic college in Mudabidri to start a PG course and the intake in Al-Ameen Medical College, Bijapur, increased from the pre cent 40 seats to 60 seats.

While the intake for the dental colleges has been approved for 60 seats, for nursing, pharmacy and ayurveda colleges it would range between 30 and 40 seats, he said.

Defending the decision to sanction new colleges, Thimmappa said, it was based on the recommendations of the Cabinet sub-committee and the government has only given an "essential certificate".

The colleges will have to get the required approval from the Medical, Dental and Nursing Councils of India by complying with its requirements.

PTI