Madhepura, Aug. 27: Health minister Ram Dhani Singh today laid the foundation stone of the Jan Nayak Karpoori Thakur State Medical College & Hospital, estimated at Rs 781 crore, at Sabaila.

Singh said that once completed, it would turn out to be the best medical college and hospital, with 500 beds and equipped with all modern amenities to treat patients in the state.

“This is the best gift conferred on the Kosi people by the ruling JDU government,” the health minister said.

Then chief minister Nitish Kumar had announced establishment of the college at Madhepura during his Seva Yatra in 2008. The Bihar Medical Services and Infrastructure Corporation Limited will monitor construction.

The foundation-laying ceremony, held after considerable delay, raised hopes among residents but the way leaders JDU and RJD leaders tore into each other over project delay did not go down well with the people.

RJD MP Pappu Yadav alleged a conspiracy behind the delay. He also said he feared that this new medical college and hospital could end up becoming a grazing ground for criminals as was the case with BN Mandal University here.

Pappu’s outburst shook up finance minister B.P. Yadav, land reforms minister N.N. Yadav and others legislators present. However, in his rebuff, the finance minister questioned the propriety of leaders who were part of the coalition raising such issues.

RJD MLA from Madhepura, Chandresekhar, said those who feared the medical college could go the BN Mandal University way should declare who looted and made a mess of the said university.