Naveen Raises AIIMS At Sundargarh & 60% Clean Energy Cess In Meeting With Union Coal Minister

Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Friday reiterated the demand for establishment of AIIMS at Sundargarh and early operationalisation of medical college and hospital.

Naveen took up the issues during a meeting with Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi at Naveen Niwas on the day. During the discussion, the chief minister drew the attention of the Union Minister to the state government’s demand for establishment of AIIMS at Sundargarh.

The chief minister said the integrated campus for a 500-bed hospital and 100-seat medical college at Sundargarh has been completed by NTPC. But It is yet to be operationalised. The state government had earlier written to the Centre on the issue.

Naveen further said considering Sundargarh’s contribution towards providing energy security to the country and national growth in terms of steel and iron ore production, the Centre should come forward to fulfill the long standing demands of the people of this tribal dominated district for setting up an AIIMS.

The chief minister also requested the Union Minister for early functioning of MCL Medical College and Hospital at Talcher where infrastructure is ready since long. The 500-bed and 100-seat medical college and hospital will meet the healthcare needs of the people of Dhenkanal and Angul districts.

On the issue of clean energy cess, Naveen demanded 60% share on the cess collected from Odisha. In 2020-21, the state produced 153.85 million tonne of coal contributing to about 25% of total production in the country.

Since the Centre collects clean energy cess at the rates if Rs 400 per tonne, it calculates to more than Rs 50,000 crore. The rate of 60% cess will give Odisha Rs 30,000 crore which can be utilised for the economic development of coal mining areas and the affected people and accelerating the state’s development in the aftermath of COVID situation, Naveen said.

Union Minister of State for Railways, Coal and Mines Raosaheb Patil Danve was also present.