The state finance department today gave its nod to the recommendations for security beef-up at the government hospitals and medical colleges in West Bengal.

“I have cleared the file. It is now up to the home department to take the necessary steps,” said state finance minister Asim Dasgupta.

The government announced that an officer of the rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) will be designated to oversee the overall security arrangments at medical colleges in Kolkata, while the district medical colleges and hospitals will be overseen by an officer of the rank of a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).

The government also announced that the designated police officers will not monitor the security of hospitals from their headquarters but will be personally stationed at the hospital premises. They will also be provided with an office in the hospital with an additional police force to oversee the overall security arrangements.

The nine goverment hospitals and medical colleges in the state are some of the most vulnerable public places in the state.

The existing security measures are not foolproof and anyone can enter the hospital premises any time. Recently, the son of an employee of SSKM hospital was arrested with arms.

The resting places meant for the kith and kin of the patients are mostly used by outsiders at night.