Set AIIMS at a place accessible to 3 regions of J&K: Lekhi

In a damage control mode over the reported shifting of proposed AIIMS to Kashmir region from Jammu, BJP today suggested that the medical institute must be set up at a place accessible to all three regions of the state.
"When finance minister sanctions something for a state during his budget speech, the sanction is made for the entire state and not for one particular place," BJP MP and the party's national spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi said here.
"Now what I personally suggest is that AIIMS should come somewhere at the centre of Jammu and Kashmir, the place which is accessible and acceptable to all the three regions of the state (including Ladakh)," she said.

The MP said that she understands the sentiments of the people of Jammu region over the issue and would convey the same to the central leadership of the party on her return to New Delhi.
"I can understand the sentiments of the people of Jammu when Kashmir already has a medical institute. But we must not divide it in the name of Jammu and Kashmir as it is one state and the AIIMS will come up in this state," Lekhi said.
She said that the other way would be to upgrade the existing Jammu medical college to the level of the medical institute.

Meanwhile, AIIMS coordination committee, an amalgam of more than 70 social, political, religious and business organisations, have called for a day-long Jammu Bandh on May 27 to protest the reported shifting of AIIMS to Kashmir from Jammu.
It coincides with the day of the proposed visit of Home Minister Rajnath Singh to Jammu and Kashmir.