Kerala government speeds up groundwork for AIIMS

The Kerala government has decided to hand over the 153 acres of land owned by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) at Kinalur for the proposed AIIMS in the state.

While the Centre has indicated its intention to allott an All-India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for Kerala, the state government is all geared up with the preparation. The state government has decided to give more than 153 acres of land owned by the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) at Kinalur in Kozhikode for the proposed project. 

The state industries department has issued an order for handing over the land to the health department. Also, with the decision, the Kerala government intends to challenge the Centre's stance that the project could not be approved so far as land is unavailable, as reported by Onmanorama.

Union health ministry following up with defence ministry on AIIMS Kerala

Union Minister of State Bharati Pravin Pawar said in Lok Sabha on March 14 that the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has requested the Union Ministry of Finance to convey their "in-principle" approval for setting up AIIMS Kerala.

"This request is being followed up with the Ministry of Finance," she said, as reported by The Hindu.

As per the health minister, when Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was asked to name locations where the medical institute can be established, the state government had identified four locations in the state.

Among the four locations, the Kerala chief minister also informed the Centre that around 200 acres of land was available at Kinalur for AIIMS. A team led by the Director, Medical Education, visited the area in July last year and later Revenue Principal Secretary A. Jayathilak and Health Principal Secretary Rajan N. Khobragade visited Kinalur.

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