AIIMS-like institutes in six states

New Delhi, Mar 7 (UNI) The Government has decided to set up AIIMS-like institutes in Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand, Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss informed the Lok Sabha today.

In a reply during Question Hour, Mr Ramadoss said while one institute each will be set up in the six states, Uttar Pradesh will get two in view of its large size. The projects will be carried out under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY).

A minimum of 100 acres of land had been earmarked for the project and the state governments have been requested to develop facilities for power and water for the new institutions. The work for construction of boundary wall around all the sites had been completed.

WAPCOS is conducting Environmental Impact study and pre-construction survey of the sites which would be completed by the end of March this year.

The Minister said earlier bids received for selection of Project Consultant for setting up six institutions were rejected on technical grounds. It has now been decided that bids be called seperately for each of the institutions.

Bids for the housing component are also being separately called for construction through Engineering Procurement Construction (EPC) developer on turnkey basis.

Responding to supplementaries, Mr Ramadoss said health is a state subject and it is the primary duty of the state governemnts to provide the medical facilities to its people, he said adding the Centre could only supplement their efforts.

UNI