Strong resentment has sparked among different quarters here following the decision to set up Odisha’s proposed ESIC Medical College and Hospital in Bhubaneswar instead of Rourkela.
Hundreds of locals from different cross sections of the society, under the banner of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) for ESIC Medical College and Hospital on Tuesday staged a demonstration in front of the local office of the ESIC (Employees’ State Insurance Corporation) and locked the office after asking all the staff to vacate the office. They shouted slogans against the Union and State Governments for favouring Bhubaneswar instead of Rourkela.
The protesters announced that they would launch an indefinite agitation after submitting a memorandum to both Central and State Governments on Wednesday.
“We are deeply shocked at the news that the Department of labour and Employment recently gave the nod to set up the proposed medical college and hospital in Bhubaneswar,” said JAC chairman senior lawyer MD Parija.
Meanwhile, BJP leader and former Union Minister Dilip Ray has come out with full support for ESIC Medical College and Hospital at Rourkela.
Ray in his face book said, “As per the recommendation by the BJD Government, the ESIC is setting up its medical college and hospital at Bhubaneswar, ignoring the genuine demand of the people of the industrial capital of Odisha (Rourkela).”
CITU State general secretary Bishnu Mohanty also demanded ESIC medical college at Rourkela.