After failing to break the deadlock over the issue of setting up of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Jammu province the BJP-PDP alliance Government on Thursday brokered a peace deal with the agitating members of the AIIMS Coordination committee by assuring them (in writing) that an appropriate order with regard to setting up of AIIMS in Jammu would be obtained from the Government of India by or before July 20, 2015.
To put pressure on the state govt AIIMS coordination committee had given a 72 hour long Jammu bandh call starting from Friday.Buckling under public pressure BJP ministers on Thursday found an opportunity to salvage their lost pride as delay on the part of the Central Government has created a piquant situation for them among the electorate.
Announcing the decision at the end of a marathon meeting between different stakeholders, Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh told reporters at PWD guest house, “Principally a decision to set up AIIMS in Jammu has been communicated to the members of the AIIMS coordination committee and a separate written assurance has been given by the State Government clarifying further that an appropriate order would be obtained from the Govt of India with regard to setting up of AIIMS in Jammu by or before July 20, 2015”.
As per an understanding reached between the two sides the AIIMS coordination committee later decided to defer their three-day long Jammu bandh call leaving the Opposition parties supporting the bandh call to corner the alliance Government, especially the BJP in Jammu region stranded midway.
During the meeting the Deputy Chief Minister along with Social Welfare and Forest Minister Bali Bhagat, several BJP MlA’s conveyed to the representatives of various socio-religious and political organisations that the alliance Government was equally concerned over the issue of setting up of AIIMS in Jammu to augment the health care infrastructure in Jammu region as well.The controversy erupted in the State of Jammu & Kashmir after a decision was taken to shift an already sanctioned AIIMS to Kashmir Valley.