Kerala not likely to have AIIMS

This time also, various agencies have asked the state government to present an outline of the project before the budget. However, it was only presented to the centre in August this year. Citing a similar scenario, the government has not taken any followup measures. So, the dream AIIMS project is likely to be delayed this time too.

As per the details on the project site, the open jail compound at Nettukaltheri in Thiruvananthapuram, land belonging to industries department in Thrissur, the property of the medical college campus in Kottayam and tracts in possession of HMT at Kalamassery are the four locations which have been identified.

As reported by TOI on the matter, "We had submitted a list of places feasible for the project. Central gover nment authorities should visit these sites and handpick one. The team will select a location considering aspects like rail, air and road connectivity Then only, can we submit a detailed project report," said health secretary K Ellangovan.

The Centre had announced two national cancer institutes-one for north India and the other for south. Haryana got the nod by promptly submitting a detailed proposal. "We had repeatedly requested the state government to submit a proposal for securing the Rs 2,000-crore institute for Kerala.But, the government gave just a vague proposal to upgrade RCC in Thiruvananthapuram. We don't think the Centre will consider the current proposal due to the lack of clarity," said Dr N K Sanil Kumar of Justice V R Krishna Iyer Movement, which has been campaigning for a national cancer institute in Kochi.

Only last week CM Oommen Chandy is learnt to have requested PM Narendra Modi to consider Kerala's proposal for the cancer institute.