Parra Flags Delay in AIIMS Awantipora, Raises Healthcare and Reservation Concerns
Jammu, KNT: Peoples Democratic Party MLA Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra on Wednesday raised multiple concerns in the Legislative Assembly, highlighting delays in the completion of AIIMS Awantipora and issues related to healthcare infrastructure, private clinic registration and reservation policy in Jammu and Kashmir.
Participating in a discussion on grants for education, social welfare and health, Parra said these sectors form the backbone of human development and require focused attention amid rising public demand.
He said the AIIMS project at Awantipora, which is expected to serve large parts of south Kashmir including Pulwama and adjoining areas, has witnessed slow progress. According to him, the project had reached around 70 per cent completion last year and remains at a similar stage, with reports of cost escalation. He urged the government to personally monitor the project to expedite its completion.
The legislator also pressed for installation of MRI facilities at District Hospital Pulwama, stating that the hospital caters to a heavy patient load despite limited resources. He further demanded establishment of a Community Health Centre in the Khan Medical Block under centrally sponsored schemes and called for taking up the matter with the Union government.
Parra pointed out that permanent registration of over 3,000 private clinics in Jammu and Kashmir has remained pending for nearly two years. He said such clinics supplement the public healthcare system and require regulatory clarity to function effectively.
On the reservation policy, the PDP MLA claimed the present framework has created an imbalance in opportunities. He urged the government to keep in abeyance the relevant orders implementing the revised reservation structure until the Cabinet committee finalises its report and related concerns are addressed.
He said temporary suspension of the orders would help ease public anxiety and restore confidence while the government reviews the matter comprehensively.[KNT]
