New Delhi: An inordinate delay on part of the Union government in releasing funds to the state government for development of infrastructure for five medical colleges in Orissa seems to be obstructing the ongoing works.
The Centre had given its approval for establishment of five government medical colleges in Koraput, Balasore, Puri, Baripada and Keonjhar as part of the plan to convert the existing district headquarters hospitals into medical colleges by upgrading the infrastructure and start MBBS courses there.
The Centre had also vowed to release `570 crore as Central share while the state government was also expected to share some of the cost. However, as per information from the government, the Centre is yet to release `41 crore as promised earlier.
The delay in release of funds is reported to have been hampering the ongoing works in the proposed medical colleges in the state.
In the last Budget Session, the BJD had urged the Centre in the Lok Sabha to ensure central assistance for the medical colleges as there is dearth of adequate medical seats in the state.
The state government is reported to have submitted the utilisation certificates (UCs) for Rs 170 crore to the Centre in this regard.
It is expected that the BJD MPs may raise the issue in the Parliament in the coming days of the Monsoon session.
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