Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Sept 28: Peoples Conference (PC) Chairman and MLA Handwara, Sajad Lone, today accused the Government of diverting Rs 55 crore sanctioned for Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara to GMC Udhampur
Alleging that authorities were deliberately sabotaging the project, Lone said the funds, approved in 2024, had lapsed twice-first in 2024 and again in 2025-due to failure in execution.
“For the last one and a half years, including 11 months under this NC Government, they have not even been able to identify land for the hostel and office building,” he told reporters.
“This is a new dilemma created for the people of Kupwara district.”
The PC chief alleged that members of the ruling National Conference (NC) were fighting among themselves over the college’s location, while their “real intention” was to shift it outside Kupwara.
“And now, Rs 55 crore has been moved to Udhampur,” he claimed.
Challenging the administration, Lone declared: “Over my dead body will this college be shut. They are after this project. I urge the people of Kupwara to wake up before it is too late.”
He also questioned the administration’s repeated excuse of land identification.
“Where is the land? They are suggesting private land which will take three years just for earthwork. An engineer’s report itself says it will take at least two years. Has anyone asked the Government of India whether they will wait that long?” he asked.
Lone argued that spending from the Union Territory’s budget was being mismanaged.
“They are spending Rs 60-70 crore at one site, another Rs 35 crore at another, making it Rs 105 crore. Do they have such money? Until they spend Rs 60 crore on earthwork, central funds cannot be used. Will Delhi wait for three years? The answer is no,” he said.
Accusing successive Governments of neglecting Kupwara, he pointed out that “every other medical college and hospital got facilities worth Rs 20-25 crore, including MRI machines. Why was only Handwara left out? Why don’t leaders speak up on this? Why does their conscience wake up only at the time of land disputes?”
He pledged to mobilize resources through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to bring MRI and other vital facilities to Handwara.
Lone also attacked rival parties, saying political interference had crippled development.
“In which part of the world do MLAs and Ministers decide land for projects? That is the job of institutions. Unfortunately, here, politicians interfere and destroy public interest,” he remarked.
Condemning the diversion of funds, Lone demanded an apology from the Government. “They should apologize. For 11 months, they did nothing except issue statements. This is shameful,” he said.
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