Bhubaneswar: The State Government has proposed the national Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco) to set up a medical college in tribal-dominated Koraput district as part of its social commitment.

The company was asked to send its representative with a full-fledged proposal to the review meeting to be held here under the chairmanship of Health and Family Welfare Minister Prasanna Kumar Acharya on July 5. The meeting would discuss proposals by private and corporate bodies to set up hospitals and medical colleges in different parts of the State.

Health and Family Welfare Commissioner-cum-Secretary Pradeepta Kumar Mohapatra said in his letter to Nalco CMD BL Bagra that the NTPC and the MCL, carrying out their business operation in the State, have agreed to establish one medical college and hospital each in their respective areas of operation. Thus, Nalco should also come forward to set up one medical college in Koraput district for the benefit of the people as the company is earning profit from its business in the State to the tune of thousands of crores.

Mohapatra also said if the company comes forward to establish the college, the Government is prepared to affiliate the 600-bed Koraput District Headquarters Hospital to the college as required under norms.