Meanwhile, State Health Minister Surya Kanta Misra was frisked by security personnel at Hyatt Regency Hotel, where the conference was being held. The securitymen later apologised saying they had not recognised the minister.

The government has sought a report from the Superintendent of Police, North 24-Parganas, asking him to look into the matter.

Azad said: “The Union Health Ministry will provide 75 per cent fund for the project - which will approximately cost Rs 550 crore. The state government has already identified a 10 acre plot in Rajarhat, and we want to make a world-class cancer hospital there.”

He has also granted Rs 11.5 crore for the procurement of new generation radiotherapy machines in the main campus of Chittaranjan National Cancer Research Institute.

“I have heard that the machines there are old and almost non-functional. It was high time new machines were bought, otherwise people will have to go to Bombay or Delhi for treatment,” he said.

The work for the project will start within six months and will be completed approximately in two years, said Joydeep Biswas, Director of Chittaranjan National Cancer Research Institute.