UMERKOTE: High drama unfolded at Nabarangpur district headquarters hospital (DHH) on Wednesday as Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Tribal Affairs Bishweswar Tudu took offence at a hoarding of the state government’s 5T initiative put up outside the oxygen plant inside the healthcare facility.
Tudu visited the DHH at around 11:30 am and went to inspect the oxygen plant built on the hospital premises with a grant from Prime Minister Care Fund. However, he became furious after seeing the 5T hoarding of Odisha government outside the plant.
“When the oxygen plant has been built with funds from PM Cares, why is the logo of the Central government not placed here?” a visibly angry Tudu was seen asking the chief district medical officer (CDMO) of Nabarangpur Kali Prasad Behera at the spot.
In his defence, the CDMO said the Central government’s hoarding has been put up inside the oxygen plant. The union minister then asked Behera to remove the 5T hoarding. Accordingly, the CDMO removed the signboard affixed outside the plant.
On the day, the union minister visited the site where a 30-bed critical care unit is being constructed at a cost of Rs 25 crore from the Central fund. He also reviewed the progress of road construction under Bharatmala project and held discussion with the officials concerned.
Among others, Umerkote MLA Nityananda Gond, former MP Parsuram Majhi and Nabarangpur ADM Bhaskar Raito were present.