The politics over setting up a second All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Sundargarh has taken centre stage during the ongoing monsoon session of the Odisha Assembly with the ruling BJD alleging Centre’s negligence towards the proposed medical institute in the State.
In a statement in State Legislative Assembly on Monday, Health Minister Naba Das said, “The Odisha government is ready to provide 200 acres of land, DMF funds and other necessary support to set up the AIIMS at Sundargarh. Even after five months have passed since a Central team visited the district, no action has been taken by the Central government yet.”
“The last date to get no objection certificate to set up a medical college is September 26. If the Centre does not clarify its stand on AIIMS, we will apply to set up a medical college,” Das added.
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Reacting to the allegations levelled by Das, Sundargarh MLA Kusum Tete said there was no synergy between State government’s announcement and its action.
“The Chief Minister should write to Government of India over the proposed AIIMS. The State government had signed a MoU for the operation of AIIMS and it should be withdrawn,” Tete said.
“People are well-aware of what is happening in Odisha. The State government cannot mislead them anymore,” She added.
Notably in November last year, the State government had requested the Centre to establish the second AIIMS in Odisha at Sundargarh.
The Sundargarh AIIMS will cater to a large tribal population in the area and help in providing quality tertiary care in the backward area of Western Odisha.