Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has approved the Odisha University of Health Sciences Act, 2021 for the establishment of University of Health Sciences, informed the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Bikram Keshari Arukh in the State Assembly.
The decision was taken in the State cabinet meeting held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
The State Health & Family Welfare Department had given the proposal to set up the University of Health Sciences for ensuring affiliation, proper and systematic instruction, training and research in modern medicine, mental health education, dental education homoeopathy and Ayurveda, Nursing Education, Pharmacy Education, Paramedical education, Physiotherapy, Allied medical science and any other medical or paramedical courses. Besides, it aimed at bringing uniformity in various academic programmes in medical and allied subjects in the State.
A total of 11 proposals were cleared by the State cabinet which included 'State Level Sports Infrastructure Development Project' for the expansion of Kalinga Stadium Sport Complex in Bhubaneswar and construction of a new International Hockey Stadium in Rourkela which will be the host venue for FIH Men's Hockey World Cup in 2023. While the estimated cost of the project is Rs 365.38 crore, it will be completed in 16 months.
Similarly, the Health and Family Welfare Department’s proposal to frame the Odisha Drugs Control Service [Drugs Control Administration] (Methods of Recruitment and Conditions of Service) Rules, 2020 was also approved. The function of the Drugs Control Organisation is to regulate the manufacturing, import, distribution and sale of drugs. The objectives are to assess the quality of drugs to safeguard the public health in order to comply with the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetic rules, 1945.
All the allopathic and homoeopathic sales and manufacturing units in the State would be inspected regularly to stop the menace of spurious , adulterated, misbranded, substandard drugs, cosmetics and medical devices in the State. A total of 97 posts were also sanction in the Drugs Control Administration, which included 66 Drugs Inspector, 22 Assistant Drugs Controller, five Deputy Drugs Controller, three Joint Drugs Controller and one Drugs Controller
The proposal to regularise the services of 100 tribal language teachers who had been recruited on contractual basis since 2008 to impart teaching to the tribal children from Class I to III in their respective mother tongue, also received the nod of the State government.
Besides, the annual license of the private dealers was extended for six months for smooth functioning of PDS in the State. The State Cabinet also allowed the amendment of OMPTS Rules, 2007 which aims to give more stress on online transportation, online checking and reporting which will help in regulating the mining activities in the State in a more scientific and transparent manner.
(Edited By Ramakant Biswas)