JAIPUR: Laying the foundation stone for four new medical colleges in the state on Thursday virtually, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that he would never allow politics to come in the way of development. Praising chief minister Ashok Gehlot, who gave the PM a long list of works required for the state, Modi said it showed the CM’s faith in his abilities. “Our political ideologies are different but trust is there. This is how it should be in a democracy,” Modi said, calling Gehlot a good friend.
“The chief minister put forward a long list of works. I thank him for the trust he has on me. Our political ideologies are different, but Ashok ji has trust in me, which is why he spoke about it (demands) with an open heart,” he said.
“This friendship, this trust, this faith, is the biggest strength of democracy,” said PM Modi in conclusion of the virtual meeting organised for laying the foundation stone for medical colleges in Dausa, Hanumangarh, Banswara and Sirohi. he also inaugurated the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering & Technology in Jaipur.
While speaking on the occasion, the CM said, “We have 33 districts. Out of these, medical colleges are already operating in 15 of them, while in 15 districts they are coming up, including the four for which foundation stones have been laid today.”
“We have three backward districts of Pratapgarh, Rajsamand and Jalore which are still left out. If on this auspicious occasion, if you could decide on three new medical colleges for these districts... If we have medical colleges in all districts, we will create history,” he said, appealing to the PM.
Seeking help from the Centre, the CM said, “Geographically Rajasthan is the biggest state in the country, but it has its own problems related to availability of water and since distances are long in the state. It needs more money for providing services such as water, electricity, roads and education in comparison to other states.”
Gehlot also demanded Centre’s support for investments to develop a petrochemical region, medical devices park in Jodhpur, bulk pharma intake park in Kota and reviving government-run pharma company RDPL in Jaipur. “RDPL is a joint venture company which manufactured medicines, but it is closed. I request you to waive off its liabilities and help in its revival,” he said.
