AIIMS Awantipora – Political Dispute Intensifies After Mehbooba Mufti’s Site Inspection
AIIMS Awantipora – A fresh political debate has emerged in Jammu and Kashmir after former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti visited the under-construction AIIMS facility in Awantipora to review the progress of the major healthcare project. Her visit drew criticism from leaders of the ruling National Conference government, while opposition voices defended her decision to inspect the site.
Mehbooba Mufti, accompanied by PDP legislators Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra and Rafiq Ahmad Naik, travelled to the Awantipora project location in Pulwama district. During the visit, officials briefed the delegation about ongoing construction activities, infrastructure development, and the expected schedule for completion of the medical institution.
Focus on Project Completion
The AIIMS Awantipora project was approved in 2015 during the tenure of the late Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, founder of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Chief Minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. The institution is considered one of the region’s most significant healthcare infrastructure initiatives.
During interactions with officials, Mehbooba sought details regarding the operational timeline of the hospital and asked when patients would be able to access medical services at the facility. She emphasized the importance of completing the project without further delays and stated that residents deserve a healthcare institution that meets the standards of leading AIIMS hospitals in the country.
She also expressed support for all efforts aimed at ensuring the facility becomes fully functional at the earliest opportunity.
Government Questions Authority Behind Visit
The inspection, however, triggered sharp reactions from members of the ruling administration. Health Minister Sakina Itoo questioned the authority under which the former chief minister reviewed the project and raised concerns about the purpose of such visits by leaders who currently hold no executive office.
In remarks shared publicly, the minister stated that Jammu and Kashmir is presently governed by an elected administration led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. She argued that individuals who are no longer in power should not behave as though they continue to exercise official responsibilities.
Itoo further suggested that those now attempting to highlight the project’s progress should acknowledge the delays experienced during previous administrations. According to her, the current pace of development reflects sustained monitoring and commitment from the present government.
PDP Responds to Criticism
The Peoples Democratic Party strongly rejected the criticism. PDP legislator Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra defended Mehbooba Mufti’s visit, arguing that public representatives have every right to monitor projects that directly affect citizens.
Parra stated that Jammu and Kashmir is facing serious healthcare challenges and that greater attention should be given to making the AIIMS facility operational rather than debating who visits the construction site. He claimed that patients continue to await access to advanced medical services and urged authorities to focus on accelerating the institution’s completion.
The PDP leader also questioned reports suggesting that officials were being asked to explain why they briefed the former chief minister during her visit. According to him, the priority should be ensuring accountability for delays and delivering quality healthcare infrastructure to the public.
Sajad Lone Backs Constitutional Position
Peoples Conference chairman and MLA Sajad Lone also entered the debate, though he supported the concerns raised by the government regarding constitutional procedures.
Lone argued that administrative oversight of government projects falls within the authority of the elected government and questioned under what official capacity Mehbooba Mufti conducted a review of the institution. He noted that AIIMS is a centrally funded project and maintained that formal review meetings must follow established constitutional norms.
The Peoples Conference leader further asked whether any special authorization or official order existed that permitted such an inspection in a review capacity. He warned against creating precedents that could blur constitutional responsibilities and governance structures.
Debate Highlights Broader Political Rivalries
The controversy surrounding the AIIMS Awantipora visit has once again highlighted the continuing political rivalry among major parties in Jammu and Kashmir. While one side views the visit as a legitimate effort to monitor an important public project, the other sees it as an overreach beyond constitutional authority.
As construction progresses, the focus remains on when the long-awaited medical institution will finally become operational and begin serving patients across the region.