Naveen Demands AIIMS At Sundergarh, 60 Percent State Share on Clean Energy Cess

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday threw his weight behind the establishment of the State’s second All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the tribal-dominated Sundergarh district.

Patnaik raised the demand before the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal & Mines Pralhad Joshi who paid a courtesy visit today. Apart from the AIIMS, the State government also put forth the demanded for the operationalization of the integrated campus for a 500 bed hospital and 100 seat medical college at Sundergarh which has already been completed by the NTPC.

“Considering Sundergarh’s contribution in providing Energy Security to the country and to the national development in terms of steel and iron ore production, the Govt of India should come forward to fulfil the long standing demands of the people of this tribal dominated district for an AIIMS,” said Patnaik.

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Patnaik also requested the Union Minister for the early functioning of MCL Medical College & Hospital at Talcher where infrastructure is ready since long. The 500 bed and 100 seat Medical College and Hospital will benefit largely the people of Dhenkanal and Angul districts.

Senior Odisha government officials said that that the Chief Minister also raised the issue of ‘Clean Energy Cess’ and demanded 60 per cent share on the cess collected from the State.

It is pertinent to mention here that Odisha produced 153.85 million tonnes of coal in the year 2020-21 contributing about 25 per cent of the country’s production. The Government of India collects Clean Energy Cess at 400 rupees per tonne which amounts to more than Rs 50,000 crore.

“Thus 60 percent of the cess will give Odisha an amount of Rs 30,000 crore which can be utilized for the economic development of coal mining areas and the affected people. Besides, it will accelerate Odisha’s development in the aftermath of Covid situation,” Patnaik added.