Bhubaneswar, Dec 22: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to approve Central share of five new medical colleges in Odisha for timely operationalisation of these colleges.
“A revised estimate of Rs.2450.90 crores for the five proposed medical colleges has been submitted to Government of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for the capital expenditure, equipment and manpower. The response of the Ministry on the revised estimate is awaited,” said the Chief Minister in a letter to Modi.
Earlier in September this year, Patnaik had written to Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, JP Nadda, for release of funds. However, it has received no communication from the Ministry.
The Chief Minister said that construction of 5 new government medical colleges in Odisha with a project cost of Rs. 189 crore each taken up under centrally sponsored scheme “establishment of new medical college attached with existing district / referral hospital” with fund sharing pattern of 75:25 between the centre and the state.
Admission in the new medical colleges for MBBS students has been scheduled to commence from 2017-18 academic session.
“My government on its part has made adequate budget provision for the project despite state’s financial crunch. Centre on its part has released Rs 55 crore only in three instalments till date. If the required funds are not released to the state in time, I am afraid, construction of these five new medical colleges will be delayed leading to continued shortage of doctors in the state,” he added.
