PATNA, Aug. 6 -- The state cabinet, chaired by chief minister Samrat Choudhary, on Wednesday approved the operation of 16 medical colleges and hospitals in Bihar, including a dental college and hospital, under the public-private partnership (PPP) model. Briefing the media after the meeting, additional chief secretary (cabinet) Arvind Kumar Chaudhary said the cabinet cleared a total of 17 agenda items. For the PPP mode of operation of the medical institutions, the colleges have been divided into two categories. The first category comprises already operational government institutions: Madhepura, Pawapuri and Purnia medical college hospitals, along with Nalanda (Rahui) dental college and hospital. The second category includes 12 colleges whose construction is underway or in process - those at Samastipur, Saran, Madhubani, Vaishali, Bhojpur, Buxar, Siwan, Begusarai, Sitamarhi, Jamui, Munger and Supaul. The administrative approval for appointing PwC as the transaction advisor for operating these 16 medical colleges and hospitals (including the dental college) under the PPP model was also granted. Officials described the move as a significant step towards expanding quality healthcare services and providing better medical facilities to citizens. In a major decision aimed at strengthening the judicial system, the cabinet approved the establishment of 19 additional exclusive special courts under the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes (prevention of atrocities) Act, 1989. These courts will be set up in West Champaran (Bettiah), Madhubani, Bhojpur (Ara), Siwan, Araria, Supaul, Khagaria, Jehanabad, Buxar, Jamui, Kaimur (Bhabua), Katihar, Sitamarhi, Munger, Madhepura, Banka, Sheikhpura, Aurangabad and Lakhisarai to ensure speedy disposal of pending cases. To facilitate the smooth functioning of these courts, the cabinet also approved the creation of 171 non-gazetted posts in the courts of district and additional sessions judges. In the education sector, the cabinet approved the allotment of government land at Piprakothi in East Champaran district to the Union ministry of education for running a Kendriya Vidyalaya. The land will be provided on a 30-year lease with a renewal option. Officials said the move would help provide quality education to students in the region. Under the Centrally sponsored Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT 2.0), the cabinet granted administrative approval for two water supply projects - Rs.102.22 crore for Jamalpur and Rs.177.72 crore for Munger. These projects are expected to ensure clean and regular drinking water supply in both towns. The government also cleared the proposal for establishment, operation, maintenance, human resources and provision of modern equipment for a "Sports Science Centre" (high-performance sports training and injury centre) at the State Sports Academy campus in Rajgir....