Centre agrees to set up AIIMS in AP

New Delhi, June 18 : The Central Government has agreed to set up one All India Institute of Medical Science in residual State of Andhra Pradesh.

The decision was taken in response to a representation made by Union Minister for Urban Development M Venkaiah Naidu through a letter to Union Health Minister Dr Harshwardhan on June 2. Venkaiah Naidu had demanded that the AIIMS was promised in the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 and therefore, the Centre should honour it.

On Wednesday, Dr Harshavardhan called on Venkaiah Naidu to convey that his Ministry has agreed to set up one AIIMS in Andhra Pradesh. For this purpose, he requires 200 hundred acres of land at an appropriate place. Naidu informed him that he has already requested Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Nara Chandrababu Naidu to immediately identify and allot 200 hundred acres of land for the purpose and he also said that he would pursue it further with the Chief Minister.

During the meeting with the Health Minister, Naidu brought to his notice that consequent upon the MCI instructions wherein they have observed certain deficiencies, the MCI did not accept the request for enhancement of 50 seats from 150 to 200. Subsequently, the respective colleges rectified the deficiencies and intimated the same to the MCI and requested them for a fresh inspection. The MCI has not acceded to the request on the ground that the Government of India has told the MCI that 15th May is the last date and no further inspection to be carried out or request to be entertained.

Venkaiah Naidu demanded increase in seats for the following colleges: Andhra Medical College, Visakhapatnam (150 to 200 seats); Rangaraya Medical College, Kakinada (150 to 200 seats); Guntur Medical College, Guntur (150 to 200 seats); Siddhardha Medical College, Vijayawada (100 to 150 seats) andS.V.R.R. Medical College, Tirupati (150 to 200 seats). Further, there should be 4th renewal of 100 seats for admission into the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Ongole. Similarly, he sought permission for admission on 150 seat of new Government Medical College at Nellore.

The Minister said that due to the division of the State and frequent strikes and bandhs in that part of Andhra Pradesh, the administration was standstill and there was no proper coordination and there was no congenial atmosphere to take care of the deficiencies. Subsequently, the Government institutions rectified the deficiencies.

There is one private medical college, namely, The Great Eastern Medical School and Hospital, Srikakulam. Same is the case with regard to this institution wherein deficiencies have been pointed out and the college management have now informed the MCI that they have rectified the deficiencies and requested for a fresh inspection. Similarly MediCity Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad (Telangana) has requested for a final inspection after the rectification of the deficiencies. These things need to be reassessed and re-examined and finally, after inspection the request of the colleges to be acceded to, Venkaiah Naidu said.

Venkaiah Naidu, after discussing the issue with Andhra Pradesh Health Minister Dr. Kamineni Srinivas brought this situation to the notice of Union Health Minister and requested him to grant a hearing and accord permission for a fresh inspection by the MCI for enhancement of seats. The Union Health Minister promised to give a hearing.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Government of India and the MCI have approached the Supreme Court because extension of time beyond 15th May has to be with the permission of the Supreme Court. The Health Minister promised to do the needful.  INN