PANJIM: Congress on Friday opposed the government's plan to set up a medical college through the Public-Private-Participation (PPP) as part of South Goa district hospital. 

However, Health Minister Vishwajit Rane justified the decision stating that the project has been planned as per NITI Aayog guidelines and the same cannot be violated. 

Addressing media persons on Friday, Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) President Girish Chodankar launched a scathing attack on Rane for his efforts to privatize the public services in the State. 

Chodankar demanded a white paper on government's policy decision to privatize the public services like health care. 

 “Vishwajit Rane is doing it as a business. We are warning him against doing so. You cannot privatize a project, where public money is involved," said Chodankar, while adding that the State government has spent nearly Rs 205 crore on infrastructure and medical equipments at the hospital and another Rs 20 crores would be spent to put the facility in operation. 

 “You cannot have privatization of education. Your government should first have policy decision on privatization of public services. You have to come clean on this,” he added.

The Congress leader further stated that if the government is really interested, then the college can be run through a State-run corporation. 

Responding to the charges, Rane said that the College is been set up as per NITI Aayog guidelines and that the same cannot be violated. He said that along with PPP, there would be equal government participation. 

"Union Health Minister Harsh Dr Vardhan has issued a detailed letter, spelling out the model of the college and that it should be run on PPP basis," said the Minister, while adding that interest of students and patience will not be compromised.