Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Sakeena Itoo
By Tehelka Web Desk
Jammu and Kashmir Health Minister Sakeena Itoo on Friday criticised PDP president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for visiting the under-construction AIIMS Awantipora project in south Kashmir.
In a statement, Itoo questioned the purpose of the visit and said former rulers were behaving as though they were still in power.
“Some people seem to be suffering from political amnesia. They still behave as if they are in power, even though they lost office in 2018 and have since been repeatedly rejected by the people. The elected government today is led by Hon’ble Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Yet, one wonders in what capacity former rulers are conducting reviews of the AIIMS Awantipora project,” she said in a statement.
In an apparent reference to the BJP, the minister also raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the visit.
“More importantly, who is signalling them to undertake such exercises? Which power centre in Delhi is directing these actions? It is ironic that those because of whom the AIIMS project moved at a painfully slow pace are now trying to claim ownership of its progress,” she said.
Itoo said the project was nearing completion due to the efforts of the present government.
“The fact is that the project is moving towards completion because of the focused efforts, monitoring, and commitment of the present government under the leadership of CM Omar Abdullah. The people of J&K are wise enough to distinguish between those who delayed development and those who are ensuring its delivery,” she said.
The remarks came hours after Mehbooba Mufti, accompanied by Tral MLA Rafiq Ahmad Naik and Pulwama MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, visited the AIIMS site to assess progress and interact with officials.
Speaking during the visit, Mufti said, “It was a dream project of Mufti Muhammad Sayeed. It’s good to see the work has gained pace. The project is bound to prove beneficial for the local area. I am hopeful locals will be preferred for most of the non-professional and non-technical posts.”
AIIMS officials briefed the delegation about the status of the project.
Highlighting the PDP’s role in the project, Mufti said, “Mufti sahab envisioned and laid the foundation for AIIMS Awantipora in 2015. Much progress has been made on this crucial institution, a project initiated by the PDP over a decade ago. AIIMS Awantipora has the potential to emerge as one of the leading centres of healthcare, medical education, and research in J&K.”
She also appealed to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda to speed up the completion of the institute.
“I request Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda to kindly expedite completion of this vital institution so that quality healthcare services can reach the people of J&K at the earliest,” Mufti said.
