It is uncertain if a second medical college will ever come up in the Western Orissa region, but there is no dearth of expression of intentions on the part of the State government. Western Orissa Development Council (WODC), after its failed negotiation with an Andhra Pradesh based entrepreneur, struck another deal on August 17th with a Delhi based businessman to set up private medical colleges in Bolangir and Rourkela. The Council signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jassar Dental and Medical Education and Health Care for these two proposed medical colleges.
As per the agreement, the two medical colleges in Bolangir and Rourkela would be completed by 2007, the budget of which is tentatively fixed at Rs 200 crore. One would be a hundred-seated college while the other would have strength of 150 and private management would control both. The Council has acquiesced to supply 25-acre land to both these institutions and Rs 10 crore funds to each of the projects.In 2004, the Council had signed an agreement with a Rajamandri based entrepreneur to set up two medical colleges, post Naveen election rhetoric on the issue. The MoU never materialized as the party backed out midway through.
