"Kerala was not neglected in budget, state government has not given enough land for AIIMS": Suresh Gopi 

NEW DELHI: Union minister and actor Suresh Gopi has dismissed allegations that Kerala was neglected in the third Modi government's first budget. Suresh Gopi told the media that Kerala was not neglected in the budget. "What kind of push has been given to the areas where employment opportunities are being prepared for the youth?" he asked. "The state government has not given enough land for AIIMS. 150 acres of land was given, which is not enough," said Suresh Gopi.

At the same time, the majority thought that the announcement of granting AIIMS to Kerala, which is trembling with rare diseases, would be made this time. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had also said that AIIMS should be allowed and Kerala has all the necessary qualifications. However, that didn't happen either. Opposition MPs from Kerala say that there were no announcements and not even the name of Kerala was mentioned in the budget.
AIIMS, which was promised to Kerala in 2014, was later forgotten by the Centre. After this five AIIMS became reality. As the demand for AIIMS increased in Kasaragod, Kozhikode, Ernakulam and Palakkad, the central government postponed the decision by suggesting a consensus. In April 2022, the Union Health Ministry had recommended the Finance Ministry to grant AIIMS to Kerala, but no further action was taken.