Addressing the 31st convocation at the premises of PGI here Mr. Azad said that in the medical colleges run by the central government 4000 seats are being added and besides 269 new nursing colleges are being opened to consolidate the paramedical infrastructure. Mr. Azad said, the government is making all out efforts to eradicate communicable diseases.

Expressing concern at WHO report prophesying that India will become hub of cancer by 2020, he said that a pilot project to combat cancer is being launched in the hundred districts of the country. Earlier he gave away post graduate degrees to the students in various disciplines.