Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, July 2: Questioning the silence of ruling leaders of PDP and BJP over proposed GMC project at Rajouri, former Health Minister and PCC general secretary Shabir Ahmed Khan has accused the State and the Central Governments of deliberately delaying the Government Medical College project at Rajouri, sanctioned by the UPA Government.
Lashing out at the Centre and State Governments for the deliberate delay in the finalization and release of the required funds for the Government Medical College project sanctioned by the then Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on the demand of the people of Rajouri-Poonch, keeping in view the dire need to upgrade the specialised Health and Medicare facilities in the region, Mr Khan said that present Government must clear its stand and release funds for the purpose.
Reacting sharply to the statements by a senior Minister of PDP from Rajouri, shedding crocodile tears for Rajouri, Mr Khan said that it is an attempt by Government to divert attention from its failures especially to address the issues of Rajouri-Poonch. He said that these statements appear to be part of match fixing between the PDP & BJP, who are addressing the respective galleries, as per a well planned strategy to rule.
Mr Khan said that the Ministers are supposed to address the issues in the cabinet and not by statements in the media. He said that the State Government has announced to finalize the site for IIT near Nagrota, while the Minister Ch Zulfkar is issuing statements in the media to seek its establishment in Rajouri. If PDP-BJP are serious on this issue for Rajouri-Poonch, they should decide in the State Cabinet about this. He regretted that PDP and BJP legislators remained silent on GMC issue in the District Development Board meetings chaired by Chief Minister at Rajouri, which is highly regrettable.
The Congress leader said that PDP and BJP leaders should first ensure release of funds for the already sanctioned GMC project at Rajouri besides the clearance of the Railway project to Rajouri-Poonch which was already surveyed at a cost of over Rs 13,612 crores.
He cautioned Government against raw deal to the twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch, as the people of this area suffered a lot during three wars with Pakistan in 1947, 1965 and 1971 as well as during long spell of militancy. He also expressed great concern over the hardship being faced by the people in the area on account of erratic power supply and unscheduled power cuts.
Follow our WhatsApp channel