Beyond the business of Rourkela Steel Plant's (RSP) modernisation and expansion plan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's short visit to the steel city was marked by a few announcements - low key but significant for the state.
Modi who addressed a huge public gathering at Rourkela was quick to recall his pre-poll promise he made here a year back. "Politics is a profession where you tend to forget things that you promise. But I have no interest to forget things. Last year on April 4, I had announced something here. And now, this being my maiden visit to this place after I became the Prime minister, I am informing you that the Government of India has decided that the Ispat General Hospital (IGH) here will function as a medical college cum super speciality hospital," he said.
Expressing solidarity with the people in the state for the upcoming Nabakalebar festival, he said the central government will provide an assistance of Rs 50 crore for the purpose.
Modi also harped on his mantra of Centre-state cooperation. "If states move ahead, the country will also progress. Last year, Odisha received Rs 18,000 crore from the Finance Commission. But my government raised the allocation to Rs 25,000 crore for 2015-16."
Touching on the issue of coal auctions, he said, "At one point of time, people of Odisha felt that they were not gaining anything from coal reserves. Coal had become a burden. However, by introducing coal auctions, we have converted coal into diamond."
He assured the denizens of Rourkela that work on a second bridge over Brahmani river will be taken up that will boost connectivity of the city.
