Jammu, Nov 10: The ongoing tussle between three cabinet ministers of Jammu and Kashmir has delayed the establishment of first ever government Ayurvedic Medical College and Hospital in the state.
 Well informed sources told Greater Kashmir that the fate of prestigious project continue to hang in balance, even as the construction on it is underway at Sangani, Akhnoor.
 They said the three ministers are at loggerhead over the location of the college as each of them wants it to be constructed in their constituency. The College sanctioned by the Union Health Ministry was approved to be constructed at Beerpur Samba by the state cabinet in January this year, but its location has virtually turned into a “prestige issue” between the ministers delaying the project, sources said.
 Official documents revealed that the state cabinet vide its decision dated January 28, 2011 sanctioned the college to be established at Birpur, Tehsil and District Samba, which was followed by an order by the state Revenue Department (Order No 42 of 2011) sanctioning transfer of stand land measuring 100 kanals at Birpur to the state Health and Medical Education Department for the establishment of the college.
 However, sources said, Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma wanted to establish the college at his own constituency and allegedly managed to get its location transferred to Sangani, Aknoor.
 While Industries Minister, Surjit Singh Salathia, who represents Samba, has reportedly taken up the matter with the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah resisting the move, the former is also agitated over the silence maintained by the Medical Education Minister, RS Chib.
 When contacted, Industries Minister S S Salathia admitted that he is against the move to shift the location of the college. “People of Samba deserve development and cabinet has sanctioned the college for the district”, he said adding, “I will take up the matter in the state cabinet”.
 Minister for Health, Sham Lal Sharma, however, denied all the allegations, saying, “This is the institution for State and not for any particular region or district. Government of India has provided funds for the construction of two colleges, Ayurveda College in Jammu and Unani College in Srinagar and we were not being provided land free of cost anywhere.”
 He said that Gharota was decided to be the first proposed site for the construction of the college, but later it was shifted to Birpur. “The matter was again getting delayed due to the claim of JAD over the land identified for the construction”, the minister said adding, “We only want early completion of the project that concerns the whole State.
 Minister for Medical Education, R S Chib said that he has made his stand clear to Salathia and there was no question of adopting silence over the issue. “I am not silent. I have already made my point as I am always with the people.”
 The residents of Samba district are also planning to start an agitation in case government failed to get a final decision over the construction site of the college.
 Sources revealed that a deputation comprising senior citizens of Samba called on S S Salathia, apprising him about the growing resentment in his constituency.
 Shiv Raj Singh, member of Samba Civil Pensioners Association (SCPA) told Greater Kashmir that the deputation has appealed Salathia to come above the party lines for the cause of district Samba.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 Nov 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 IST