Stating that some people of Jammu and Kashmir were politicizing AIIMS issue, the Minister for Forests and Social Welfare Bali Bhagat Monday said that AIIMS will be set up at both Jammu and Kashmir and will be provided with same facilities.
“I fail to understand why people in Jammu are agitating against the issue which has already been settled. I can say that such people actually want to disturb the law and order in the state,” Bhagat told Kashmir based news agency over phone.
He said that the central government has agreed that the AIIMS will be set up at both Jammu and Kashmir. “There will be similar AIIMS for both Jammu as well as Kashmir with equal provisions of infrastructure, funds, faculty, paramedical staff and facilities. The process for establishing AIIMS in Jammu and Srinagar will commence simultaneously with equal provision of funds,” he said.
He said the decision taken by Centre in consultation with state government is quite clear and was taken keeping in mind the aspirations and necessities of both the regions. “The process for identifying land for both the premier health institutions will be taken up soon,” he said and added that provision for better healthcare, education and road connectivity were the priority sectors of the government.
He added the state government is fully aware of the genuine problems of the people and is committed to provide improved basic amenities to them like road connectivity, healthcare, safe drinking water, uninterrupted power supply and better education,” he said.
It is pertinent to mention here that Jammu had witnessed many shutdowns as part of agitation being carried out by an amalgam of over 70 organizations to press for setting up an AIIMS in the region.