Two All India Institutes of Medical Science on the pattern of the AIIMS New Delhi for the State of Jammu and Kashmir was a decision that entailed lot of hassles at the planning level. The entire decision saw much of somersaulting before the dust settled down and authorities took the call. At one time, it had begun to snowball as a regional conflict but thanks to the sagacity and far-sightedness of the powers that be, the issue was resolved amicably. However, looking in retrospect, one can say that while the policy planners showed sagacity in treating the two regions at par in this particular area, they neglected the third region namely Ladakh, which deserved at least a medical institute that would cater to larger needs of the entire region. After hectic persuasions, on May 27, 2016 the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare formally conveyed sanction to the mega project of two AIIMS for J&K State. It was a day of great rejoicing and happiness for the people of the State.
The first and perhaps the most difficult task ahead was of identifying the land suitable for the project and obtaining the approval of the Union Health Ministry. Vijaypur in Jammu and Awantipora in Kashmir were the two places where land for the said purpose was identified. The team of Union Ministry of Health visited the sites and after approving them the process of formal sanction was taken further. It was decided that the project would be undertaken by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD). The State Government identified 1907 kanals and 5 marlas of land at Awantipora in Pulwama district and 1951 kanals and 3 marlas of land at Vijaypur for setting up of AIIMS sanctioned for Jammu division. Although the lands have been identified and approved yet the formal transfer of this land to the State Health and Medical Education Department is still awaited despite lapse of nearly one year. In Jammu transfer of forest land measuring 1395 kanals and 17 marlas for which demand of Rs 6.61 crore has also been projected with the Planning, Development and Monitoring Department remains to be transferred to the Medical Education Department. The situation in Kashmir is slightly better as per information available. 1309 kanals and two marlas of land has already been transferred to Health and Medical Education Department and for remaining 598 kanals and 3 marlas of shamilat land the acquisition proceedings are still going on although an amount of Rs 24 crore has already been released.
We would like to emphasize is that a year is too long a period to settle the land acquisition and transfer case. If the present pace continues who knows how much more time will be needed to finalize the transfer. Therefore, we would like to impress upon the State Government to expedite land transfer without further delay since the funding has already been made available to both the Collectors. Delay in the execution of the project results in escalation of the cost of construction. Then it becomes a liability. As such we would like that the Chief Minister issues instructions fixing the time frame for transfer of land to Health and Medical Education Department. Leaving it without time frame condition is highly undesirable.
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