The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the Union government to conduct a feasibility study within two weeks on the proposed AIIMS site at Kinaloor in Kozhikode district, observing that the need for establishing the premier medical institute in the state “cannot be downplayed”.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. also ordered the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, to depute a competent officer, either physically or virtually, on the next date of hearing so that the issue can be resolved.
The bench noted that despite repeated directions, the Union Health Ministry had not filed any affidavit clarifying whether the site identified by the Kerala government meets the Centre’s guidelines for establishing an All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
The court recalled that it had, in March last year, directed the Centre to send a feasibility study team to assess whether an AIIMS could be set up at the Kinaloor site.
“Since then, the matter is pending with the central government,” the bench observed, directing that the feasibility study be completed within two weeks.
The directions came while hearing two separate petitions:
- AIIMS Kasaragod Janakeeya Koottayma, which has sought inclusion of Kasaragod in the list of potential AIIMS sites and a direction to the state to resubmit the proposal accordingly.
- Greater Piravom Development Forum, which has sought establishment of AIIMS on land owned by it at Mevalloor News Print Nagar in Kottayam district.
The Kerala government has informed the court that the Kozhikode site conforms to the Centre’s prescribed norms for AIIMS establishment.
Recording the directions, the High Court listed the matter for further hearing on March 11, when the Union government is expected to report on the feasibility study and compliance with the court’s earlier orders.
