Odisha seeks centre to release fund for 5 medical colleges

BHUBANESWAR: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to approve revised estimate of five new medical colleges and release of central share for timely operationalization of these colleges in the state.

“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.

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 to existing district/referral hospital” with fund sharing pattern of 75:25 between the centre and the state.

He said, on completion of the medical colleges, it would go a long way in addressing the shortage of doctors in 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,” he added.

“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 the continued shortage of doctors in the state,” said the Chief Minister.

He urged the Prime Minister that the revised estimate for these five medical colleges be approved, and the central share (75%) be released immediately for timely operationalization of these medical colleges in the larger public interest.