Finance
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugraed a 100-seat government medical college and a 650-bed hospital in Phulbani on Friday, addressing Kandhamal district residents’ long-standing desire for accessible and high-quality healthcare.
He also launched and laid the foundation stone for a slew of developmental projects worth approximately ₹750 crore, marking a significant push for the region’s socio-economic transformation.
The new medical college, along with the hospital, is set to become a healthcare and education hub not just for Kandhamal, but also for nearby districts like Boudh, Nayagarh, and Kalahandi.
The Chief Minister described the facility as a “new chapter in Odisha’s healthcare journey,” stating that it will improve healthcare services, provide new educational opportunities for local youth, and create jobs in the region.
In his speech, CM Majhi underlined that the state administration had moved quickly to execute the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), which had previously been delayed owing to political considerations.
Now that the initiative is operating in Odisha and integrated with the Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana, almost 3.5 crore residents can receive free treatment at over 29,000 private institutions across India. Together with the Ayushman Vay Vandana scheme, the efforts hope to assist more than 80% of the state’s population.
Majhi also criticized the previous administration, accusing them of neglecting healthcare infrastructure for 24 years “in the name of world-class services.” He stated that the government is now focused on speedy change.
“There will be no shortage of doctors in Odisha within the next year,” he promised, citing a record allocation of ₹23,635 crore to the healthcare sector — the highest in the state’s history, amounting to 8.2% of the total budget.
As part of his visit, the Chief Minister inaugurated five completed projects worth ₹655 crore and laid the foundation stone for another five projects totaling ₹94 crore. These initiatives span a wide range of sectors including rural drinking water, mega piped water supply, school infrastructure, healthcare centers, roads, tourism, Mission Shakti markets, and community infrastructure.
Majhi highlighted the government’s ambition for Kandhamal’s growth, stating that industries would be established in every district, including Kandhamal, to create jobs and drive industrialization. He emphasized the promotion of tourism in Daringbadi, known as the “Kashmir of Odisha,” pledging a ₹18 crore investment in tourism projects. Work on the development of Putudi Waterfall is already underway, costing ₹4.5 crore.
Majhi mentioned tribal welfare, noting that 54% of Kandhamal’s population is from tribal populations. Over the last six months, the district government has distributed over 20,000 individual land titles under the Forest Rights Act. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that no family in the state is landless, with a particular emphasis on those who possess less than three decimals of land.
Looking ahead, Majhi presented the state’s broader developmental vision, which includes achieving prosperity in Odisha by 2036 and contributing to India’s growth by 2047. The strategy prioritizes comprehensive growth, enhanced infrastructure, industrial expansion, and inclusive development, with a particular emphasis on marginalized and tribal populations.
The event was attended by Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling, Kandhamal MP Sukanta Kumar Panigrahi, Phulbani MLA Umacharan Mallick, senior government officials, and a large gathering of residents.
Source: OCN
