Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to approve revised estimate of five medical colleges proposed for Odisha and release Central share at the earliest for timely operation of these colleges.
“A revised estimate of Rs2450.90 crore for the five proposed medical colleges was submitted to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in September this year. But the Ministry is yet to respond,” Patnaik said in a letter sent to the Prime Minister on Monday.
Construction of the new Government medical colleges with a project cost of Rs189 crore each has already been taken up with fund sharing pattern of 75:25 between the Centre and the State and the works are going on in full swing, the letter said.
Patnaik too appraised that the colleges, once completed, would address shortage of doctors in the State. Admission in the new medical colleges for MBBS students have been scheduled to commence from 2017-18 academic session, he informed.
“On its part, my Government has made adequate budget provision for the projects despite State’s financial crunch. Centre has released Rs55 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 medical colleges will be delayed leading to continued shortage of doctors in the State,” he added.