New Delhi/Bengaluru: Raichur MP G Kumar Naik has strongly criticised the Union Government for denying AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) to Karnataka, calling it a grave injustice to the people of Kalyana Karnataka.
In a post on X, Naik recalled that on 7th August, he once again raised the demand under Rule 377 in the Lok Sabha, urging the Union Government to sanction an AIIMS for Karnataka in Raichur.
However, the response from Union Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Prataprao Jadhav, has drawn sharp criticism. According to the Minister, the Government currently has no plans to approve an AIIMS for Karnataka. Adding to the controversy, he suggested that the proposal could only be considered if it came under the State Programme Implementation Plan (PIP)—a framework usually meant for strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure.
Reacting to this, Naik questioned:
“Why is this hurdle only for Karnataka? Did other states that were granted AIIMS have to fund them through their State PIPs? Karnataka remains the only large state in the country without an AIIMS.”
He further alleged that despite repeated demands and the urgent healthcare needs of Kalyana Karnataka, the Centre has consistently denied Karnataka its rightful share in national institutions. “This injustice will not silence us. We will continue to raise our voice until our rights are secured,” Naik asserted.
The issue has once again reignited the AIIMS for Raichur movement, with health activists and local leaders pressing the Centre to reconsider its stance in view of the region’s dire need for advanced healthcare infrastructure.
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