Construction of new medical colleges in Odisha at snails pace

Bhubaneshwar: The five medical colleges under construction in the state of Odisha are reported to have been facing a slowdown, in the face incessant delays by the centre in releasing funds.

The five projects at the cost of Rs.189 crore each, under the centrally sponsored scheme, have a funding pattern of 75: 25 by the centre and state respectively.

The state exchequer is feeling the strain, as the release of funds from the centre has turned into a trickle, during the last two years.To top it all, admissions to the colleges are to commence from 2018-19.

The medical colleges are coming up in Koraput, Balangir, Puri, Balasore and Baripada.

The state government in the given circumstance, had submitted a revised estimate of Rs 2450.9 crore to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for the five medical colleges. However, a mere Rs. 170 crore has been released by the centre to the State Government till December last year, for construction .

If the money is not released in time, the shortage of doctors in Odisha is likely to continue.

The state government has requested the centre to approve the revised estimate, and the centre's contribution released, immediately, for timely operations of the institutions to begin.

Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, on his part has also requested Mr. Narendra Modi to ensure immediate release of funds, so that the five institutions can be completed on time and academic sessions commenced.

Meanwhile, classes of the proposed Bolangir, Balasore and Puri medical colleges are to be held in the respective District Headquarter Hospitals. Though, they are yet to meet the MCI guidelines.

The state government is optimistic about starting of classes in Koraput and Baripada medical colleges, at the earliest.

Despite, Mr.Patnaik having taken up the issue of slowing down of the release of funds with the Prime Minister and Health Minister JP Nadda, the pace is yet to increase, reports the Indian Express.