AIIMS in Kerala is not under consideration, clarifies Centre

NEW DELHI: The central government has clarified that All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for Kerala is not under consideration. The Union Minister of State for Health replied to the question of Kodikunnil Suresh MP in Parliament. The minister also clarified that no decision was taken in acquiring land for AIIMS.

There were disputes earlier over acquisition of land for AIIMS in Kerala. Union Minister Suresh Gopi had many times said that AIIMS would be allocated in Kerala soon. In the meanwhile, the response from the center is coming in a way that raises concerns about whether AIIMS will come.

Meantime, the Kerala High Court had the other day considered the plea questioning the non-allocation of AIIMS to Kerala. The central government has again sought time to respond to the plea. The high court had earlier directed to clarify the criteria adopted to exclude Kerala only when 22 AIIMS were allocated in various states in the country.

However, the central government's lawyer informed the court that since it was the end of the financial year, necessary explanation had not been received from the finance ministry. Considering this, the court granted the center time till April 10 to file its reply in the form of an affidavit.