Mangaluru : Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan on Sunday promised necessary financial assistance from Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited towards completion of a new building for the Government Lady Goschen Hospital, which has been stalled by the contractor for non-clearance of dues.

Mr. Pradhan spoke to reporters after going around the Hospital an old and busy government hospital catering to pregnant women from district and neighbouring areas and reviewing the progress of construction for the new six-storeyed building.

Mr. Pradhan said financial constraints owing to MRPL’s low profitability had caused delay in making payments. “MRPL is a business organisation, if it earns profit it will donate … MRPL profitability is at a low end … This is a CSR activity and MRPL management has assured that they will fulfil their commitment. Little bit of delay is there but [construction of the new building] will be completed soon,” he said and added that the new block would bring maternal healthcare to the local community.

Mr. Pradhan was taken around the old block of the hospital that has been crammed for space for care of pregnant women and those who have delivered babies. Mr. Pradhan appreciated the hospital management for the cleanliness maintained in the premises. “This is one of the few well-maintained government hospitals I have seen in my long political career,” he said.

Mr. Pradhan also viewed a presentation made about the progress in the construction. While observing the presentation, Mr. Pradhan asked MRPL Managing Director H. Kumar, “When should I come to dedicate this new block,’ for which Mr. Kumar said “Diwali”. When Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim sought additional funds for the hospital, Mr. Pradhan pointed to financial constraints MRPL was facing.

The construction of the six-storeyed new block of Lady Goschen began in 2013. The MRPL has so far paid around Rs.10 crore of the Rs.21.07 crore earmarked for the building. Physical structure of six floors has come up and the building contractor has stopped construction for the last few weeks while laying the slab of seventh floor. The contractor wants clearance of pending bill of Rs.75 lakh.

MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, Special Secretary and Financial Advisor to Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas S.C. Khuntia and other officials accompanied the Minister during his visit.