Budget 2018: PGI's allocation goes down

Chandigarh: The Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), north region's premier centre for tertiary care, is not as satisfied by the Union Budget as last year. All-India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS), New Delhi seems to have got a larger share of the pie, for it has been sanctioned Rs. 3,018 crore this year as against the Rs 2,400 crore allocated to it the previous year.

"Both are institutes of national importance but there is a huge difference in their budgets. We have 500 teachers against 800 of AIIMS, and there's a gap in our transport and house rent allowances as well," said a PGI administrative official.

The Rs 1,207.78 crore PGI allocation Rs 892.98 crore will go towards paying staff salaries and another Rs 225 crore int buying equipment. The remaining would be consumed by human resource. The internal resources, of the institute, will generate Rs 135 crore for the current financial year. Last year, Rs 920 crore was kept away by the PGI for salaries and Rs 210 crore for equipment reports TOI.

The allocation to the premier institute has been less as most of the project money has already been given to it for upcoming facilities such as Mother and Child Centre, Neurosciences Centre, and a 250-bedded hospital on campus. The 2016 budget, saw the PGI receive Rs 938.58 crore, while last year’s allocation was demarcated at Rs 1139. 60 crore.