Karnataka Accuses Centre of Bias Over AIIMS Setup

Karnataka Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil criticized the Centre for neglecting the state in setting up an AIIMS and upgrading government medical colleges. Despite repeated requests, the state remains without the institution, a situation Patil termed as 'step-motherly.'

Karnataka Medical Education Minister Sharan Prakash Patil has accused the central government of displaying a ‘step-motherly attitude’ towards the state regarding the establishment of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and upgrading existing government medical colleges. Patil stated that the Centre has repeatedly ignored Karnataka’s requests for setting up the premier medical institution in Raichur district.

“All the states in India have got AIIMS except for Karnataka and Kerala. The Centre has to decide. This is a step-motherly attitude towards Karnataka,” Patil said in response to a question posed by JD(S) member K A Thippeswamy in the Legislative Council. Thippeswamy accused the state government of failing to secure an AIIMS in Raichur and upgrade existing government medical colleges under the 'Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana'.

Refuting the allegations, Patil mentioned that he and Minister for Science and Technology N S Boseraju had met with the then Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya to request the establishment of an AIIMS in Karnataka. Additionally, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and personally handed over a request letter, but these efforts have been unfruitful. The Minister further explained that the state has identified land in Raichur for AIIMS and is prepared to provide whatever is needed for its establishment.