Balasore, Jan. 19: The Government Medical College and Hospital Action Committee, a civil society organisation in the district, has stepped up its agitation to demand that the medical facility here start its academic session from 2017-18.

The women's wing of the body will stage a demonstration in front of the district collectorate tomorrow.

"The construction of the college complex at Remuna is almost over and the contractor is expected to hand over the building to the authorities by the end of March. The government had earlier promised that the college and the hospital was supposed to begin from the coming academic year. But, we don't see any initiative from the government in this regard," said Gopamudra Mohapatra, a member of the organisation. The foundation stone for the Balasore medical college and hospital was laid on October 28, 2014.

She attributed the delay in starting the college to the state government's apathetic attitude."A team from the Medical Council of India has visited Baripada and assessed the progress of the medical college and hospital there. But, no team has come here so far," said Mohapatra.

"The government's intent is to delay the project," said Gouranga Panigrahi, secretary of the body.

District collector Pramod Das said: "The council didn't visit the site, because the building work is not complete. Although the contractor had said the building would be handed over by March end, work is yet to be finished. I am not in a position to say if classes can start from the 2017-18 academic session."