The central government has extended the last date for giving permission to new medical colleges and renewal of recognition to existing ones by a month, official sources said. <br/> <br/>The decision was taken following a request from the six-member board of governors which took over the functioning of the Medical Council of India (MCI) earlier this month. The letter of permission grants medical colleges the license to conduct medical courses. The last date for giving the letter of permission will now be July 15. <br/> <br/>The board of governors, led by eminent gastroenterologist S.K. Sarin, took over the functioning of the MCI after it was suspended following the resignation of its president Ketan Desai. Desai was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on corruption charges. <br/> <br/>Board had written to the health ministry asking for more time to consider the proposals for giving permission. The board at present has recommendations for 87 colleges from the MCI pending with it. These colleges were approved by the MCI before it was suspended. The extension of time period given to the board is only applicable for the current academic session. <br/>