Bengaluru: The Karnataka government plans to establish a government medical college in Udupi district as part of its policy to have at least one such institution in every district, Medical Education Minister Dr Sharan Prakash Patil informed the Legislative Assembly.

Replying to a question raised by BJP MLA Yashpal Suvarna, the minister said that government medical colleges are currently functioning in 22 districts of the state, and the remaining nine districts will also get similar institutions in the coming years.

He said setting up a new government medical college requires a non-recurring expenditure of about Rs 610 crore. The government is giving priority to new colleges depending on the availability of funds. However, no allocation has been made for this purpose in the current state budget, he added.

During the discussion, Assembly Speaker U T Khader advised the government to take steps to start the medical college at the earliest.

The minister also responded to a question from the Kumta MLA regarding a super speciality hospital in Uttara Kannada district. He said the hospital will be established in Karwar, where a medical college already exists, and not in Kumta.