New Delhi: A special programme was organized at Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences today to felicitate and honour the Chief Minister of Sikkim Prem Singh Tamang for his intervention in securing fifty free MBBS seats for the students of Sikkim who qualify for admission at SMIMS.

The Chief Minister was instrumental in enhancing the quota for Sikkimese students to 80 out of the total of 150 MBBS seats allotted to the Institute annually. Of the 80 seats, 30 fall under the full paid quota, while 50 seats will be reserved as free seats for Sikkimese students.

The programme was organized by the Sikkim Manipal University and the students of the first year MBBS course who secured the State quota. The Chief Minister was presented a Memento and Citation by the Vice Chancellor and senior administrative officers of the SMU. Subsequently, he was presented a token of gratitude by the students and their parents.

In his acceptance speech, Chief Minister P.S Tamang thanked the University for the felicitation, and in turn, dedicated the honour and acknowledgment to his Cabinet colleagues, the administration and the people of Sikkim. He termed the accomplishment of the fifty free seats as an outcome of a concerted team effort from all quarters, with equal effort put in by the students and their parents. He thanked the University for partnering with the State Government in several areas to realize the vision of a robust health care system for all.

During the programme, the Chief Minister also released a Brochure titled ‘SMU in Service of Sikkim’ prepared by the University heralding the key initiatives.