Odisha demands 2nd AIIMS at Sambalpur in pre-budget meet

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has raised its demand for second AIIMS in the State at the pre-budget meeting of the Central government.

Deputy Chief Minister KV Singhdeo made the demand in the meeting of finance ministers of the states before the Union Budget. The meeting was chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on Saturday.

Singhdeo attended the meeting on behalf of Chief Minister Mohan Majhi who holds the finance portfolio due to the latter’s prior engagement in Odisha. The Deputy CM wanted allocation in Central budget to set up second All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) at Sambalpur. The first AIIMS in the state at Bhubaneswar is already in the operation.

Singhdeo also sought budgetary allocation for implementing Subhadra scheme in the state. The state government would pay Rs.50,000 to every eligible woman under the scheme. It was an election promise of the BJP in Odisha.

The Deputy CM sought Central assistance for construction of 5 lakh houses under Prime Minister Awas Yojana (PMAY) and early completion of highway projects, including coastal highway and capital region ring road.

Other Demands:

• Support of the Union Government for creation of an enabling environment to attract international investors and semiconductor industries to Odisha, promotion of the state as an investment hub, expansion of Paradip port
• Higher allocation under Scheme for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SACI), 2024-25 to further accelerate infrastructure development
• Advance indication of the state-wise annual allocation under CSS schemes at the time of budget formulation which would enable the states to prepare their budgets on a realistic basis and ensure timely and effective utilisation of funds
• Support of the Central Government for new city development and rapid urbanization in Odisha
• Addressing power sector issues through inclusion of Odisha DISCOMs under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS)
• Financial support for adoption of new technologies such as green hydrogen, and central funding for Green Energy Corridor projects in Odisha.

Union Finance Minister assured to look into the demands raised by Singhdeo in the meeting.