AIIMS: Murali flays Centre’s adamant stance

Kerala's Health Minister K. Muraleedharan expressed frustration over the Centre's insistence that the state not receive an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). The Minister alleged that the Centre's stance has been inconsistent, citing different reasons over time for refusing AIIMS to Kerala. In the Kerala High Court, the Centre stated that Kerala was not among the priority States for AIIMS allocation, as the scheme primarily targeted States with weaker health sectors.

However, Muraleedharan pointed out that the Centre had previously rejected the land in Kozhikode as unsuitable when the previous UDF government was in power. When the UDF government took office, it clarified that Kerala should not lose AIIMS due to regional considerations, but the Centre's recent comments suggest that denying AIIMS to Kerala may be politically motivated.

Mr. Muraleedharan had been assured by the Union Health Minister that Kerala deserved an AIIMS and would definitely receive one.