Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 9: Gover-nment today revealed that it will process increasing age of doctors to 65 owing to shortage of staff in different hospitals in the State. Moreover, it said, land has been identified for setting of two AIIMS hospitals in J&K.
Replying to a supplementary of MLA Altaf Bukhari wherein he asked whether Government has any plans to increase the age limit of doctors to 65 as Union Government last week enhanced the age of doctors working in Central sector to 65, Minister of State for Health and Medical Education Department Asiea Naqash said: “We will also like to process it as there is shortage of doctors in our State”.
In a written reply to a question of BJP MLA, Rajesh Gupta in Lower House, the Minister Incharge Health and Medical Education Department, said the land has been identified at Samba in Jammu Division and Awantipora in Kashmir Division for establishment of two AIIMS. “The projects are to be executed by the Government of India,” the Health Minister Bali Bhagat said.
In his supplementary, Gupta asked when Government was going to start the construction work of two medical institutes. In his reply, the MoS said High Power Committee has been constituted in this matter who would first look into the various requirements like availability of water and electricity and 2 crore project has already been sanctioned for this proposal.
The MoS further stated that funds amounting Rs 2000 crore each (Total Rs. 4000 crore) have been earmarked under PM’s package for setting up of two AIIMS, one each at Jammu and Srinagar. After getting praised from establishment of two AIIMS-type institutions in J&K, the MoS Health was cornered over lack of staff at Jammu’s Super Specialty hospital.
Replying to the concern as why foundation of Kishtwar Medical College was not laid, the MoS, Asiea Naqash said: “There was issue with Mutation papers but I think within next 15 days, the issue is cleared and we will take up the Medical College.”
In a written reply to a separate question of Rajiv Jasrotia in Lower House, Minister Incharge Health and Medical Education Department, said the AIIMS projects are to be executed by GoI and necessary budgetary details in this regard are to be intimated by the GoI, “A communication dated May 20, 2016 conveying approval of GoI for establishment of two AIIMS has been received,” the Minister stated.
Besides two AIIMS-type institutions, the J&K has been sanctioned five Medical Colleges. Foundation stone of three such colleges was laid on May 15, one each at Anantnag, Baramulla and Rajouri. Two more are yet to be commissioned.
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