Why delay in starting AIIMS in Kerala? High Court criticises central government

KOCHI: The High Court questioned the central government on the delay in starting AIIMS in Kerala. The court also asked why no decision was made regarding allocating AIIMS to Kerala for the last 11 years. The Court also directed the Centre to inform the criteria for allocating AIIMS. The High Court made this order while considering a petition seeking AIIMS in Kerala. The court observed that AIIMS was a necessity in Kerala, the state with high population density.

Meanwhile, the central government informed that out of the 22 new AIIMS, 18 are operational and four are under construction. The Central government explained that they were focusing on the newly sanctioned AIIMS at the moment. An affidavit was filed stating that a feasibility study can be conducted only if the central government takes a policy decision.

The central government's lawyer argued that the state government has not done anything for AIIMS for ten years. The central government said that they proposed the project in 2016, but did not see any productive contribution from the state. However, the state rejected the centre's argument. The state government told the court that it had identified and provided the land, and even informed the central government about this. The petition will be considered next Wednesday again.