Facing protests over demands for a separate AIIMS in Jammu, state health minister Lal Singh today said that both the Jammu and Kashmir regions will get similar institutes even as he accused the opposition of misleading the people on the issue.
In an apparent damage-control exercise, he said that a decision has been taken to have "AIIMS set-up in both the regions" with the same level of facilities.
However, he parried queries as to whether the two institutions will function independently.
"I want to clarify the statement (by Union Health Minister JP Nadda).
"Keeping in view the regional aspiration of the people, the Union Health Minister is setting up an AIIMS in Jammu and Kashmir and will provide similar facilities of AIIMS in both Jammu and Kashmir regions. That is very much clear," Singh told reporters here today.
He further said, "You cannot fool the people of Jammu region. As far as facilities of AIIMS are concerned, you know there is one AIIMS, it cannot be divided. If four streams are for Kashmir, same will be for Jammu. It is very clear. If there would be eight surgeons in Kashmir, it will be eight surgeons in Jammu. They are creating confusion for the sake of agitation, not for the benefit of the people of Jammu."
Against the backdrop of violent protests in Jammu as a three-day shutdown began today over the AIIMS demand, the minister further said, "Director is one post. If there would be one director in Kashmir, same would be in Jammu. So, it means both regions will have AIIMS structure. In both places, we have to get land to set up AIIMS.
"Construction will take place simultaneously and, if Rs 500 crore would be granted to Kashmir for AIIMS, the same amount would be given to Jammu for AIIMS. I want to tell the people of Jammu that there is no dispute you have got the AIIMS. Don't create any confrontation."
Singh said that "AIIMS set-up should be in both regions. The decision has been taken. The Soura Health Institute had come to J-K decades ago, but they named it Sher-e-Kashmir (SKIMS) because they didn't want to name it 'All India'".
"Now, they will have write it. J-K All-India Institute of Medical Sciences. JKAIIMS -- one will be set up in Kashmir and another in Jammu," he said.
The minister, however, avoided giving a direct reply to a volley of questions as to whether two separate and independent AIIMS have been granted to the Kashmir and Jammu regions or if two AIIMS had been announced for J-K.
