JAIPUR: When PM Modi attended a virtual ceremony on Thursday to lay the foundation stone of four medical colleges in Rajasthan, CM Ashok Gehlot put forward a list of development works he wanted for the state. “This shows he trusts me, despite our different political ideologies,” said Modi, calling Gehlot a “good friend”.
“Rajasthan CM, while speaking, put forward a list of works. I thank him for the trust he has reposed in me. We follow different political ideologies. Yet he spoke about it open-heartedly because he trusts me. This friendship, and the trust and faith, are the biggest strength of a democracy,” said Modi. He laid the foundation stones in Dausa, Hanumangarh, Banswara and Sirohi and inaugurated the Central Institute of Petrochemicals Engineering and Technology in Jaipur.
Earlier, Gehlot said, “We have three backward areas — Pratapgarh, Rajsamand and Jalore — which still do not have a medical college. You could consider new colleges for these districts. If we have medical colleges in all the districts of the state, it will create history.”
Gehlot sought help from the Centre to tackle problems of availability of water and financial help for infrastructure like electric transmission, roads and for education.
Gehlot also asked for the Centre’s support in developing a petrochemical investment region, medical device park in Jodhpur, bulk pharma intake park in Kota and demanded help in revival of a government-run pharma company in Jaipur. “It is a joint-venture company which manufactured medicines. But it remains locked. I request the Centre to waive off its liabilities,” said Gehlot.
