SHIMLA-20 October, 2024-Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today laid the foundation stone for the auditorium of Dr. Radhakrishnan Government Medical College, Hamirpur, at the new campus in Jol Sapper in Nadaun Assembly Constituency of Hamirpur district. The auditorium will be constructed at a cost of Rs. 37 crore. He also laid the foundation stone for the Principal's residence at the college. The Chief Minister inspected the ongoing construction work of the medical college and issued necessary directives to the administration. He said that the target is to complete the construction of the medical college by March 31, 2026.
He stated that this medical college was sanctioned by the UPA-2 government on March 4, 2014, after his personal request to the then Union Health Minister, Ghulam Nabi Azad. While the Union government has allocated only Rs. 180 crore for this project, the current state government has already disbursed Rs. 240 crore. He added that the new campus would significantly enhance healthcare services by providing world-class facilities, state-of-the-art medical equipments and skilled doctors and paramedical staff, ensuring advanced healthcare for the people of the state.
The Chief Minister said: "Along with the auditorium foundation stone that I have laid today, a cafe, library and playground will also be constructed, with work set to begin within a month. The medical college will provide improved facilities not only for patients but also for doctors and students. In the near future, it will become one of the best medical colleges in the state. We are working towards improving facilities in all medical colleges across the state and addressing their issues."
He said that international standards will be followed in staffing doctors and nurses at Hamirpur Medical College, with the gynecology department ensuring one nurse for every four patients. Postgraduate classes will also commence at the college. Additionally, the campus will house offices for the PWD, Jal Shakti Department, Electricity Department's SDO and a police post. He further stated: "A state-of-the-art cancer hospital equipped with world-class technology will be established and I will lay the foundation stone for this project once FCA clearance is obtained."
Sh. Sukhu said that the current government is ensuring proper budget allocation for all development projects and the foundation stones are laid only after the allocation of a budget. In response to a question, he criticized the Leader of Opposition for making baseless statements. He clarified that Himachal Pradesh is part of India’s federal structure and the central government collects taxes from the people of Himachal Pradesh, with the state receiving a rightful share. He added: "This is not a favour from the union government but a right of the people of Himachal Pradesh."
On this occasion, Chairman of Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation Raghubir Singh Bali, MLAs Suresh Kumar and Ranjit Singh Rana, the Chief Minister's Political Advisor Sunil Sharma, Kangra Central Cooperative Bank Limited Chairman Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Kangra Cooperative Primary Agriculture and Rural Development Bank Chairman Ram Chandra Pathania, State Skill Development Corporation Coordinator Atul Kadohta, Congress leaders Dr. Pushpinder Verma, Subhash Dhatwalia and Rajiv Rana, District Congress President Suman Bharti, Block Congress President Captain Prithvi Chand, Nagar Panchayat Nadaun President Shammi Soni, Deputy Commissioner Amarjeet Singh, SP Bhagat Singh and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.