After the administration’s order of handing over the affairs of the SKIMS to the Jammu Kashmir Home and Education Department came out on Monday, political parties in Kashmir have heavily criticized the move.
The loss of autonomy of the premier medical institution has met with widespread criticism in the valley. Representatives of various political parties including the National Conference, CPI (M), JDU, and Apni Party have condemned the move.
CPI(M) senior leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami in a tweet said, “Over the years, SKIMS has provided patient care much better than other facilities in the region. Stripping what little autonomy this top-tier institution had will have an adverse impact on both the patient care and research.”
“Also, it will affect the efficient decision-making process and inter-departmental coordination.”
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference’s chief spokesperson has also criticized the move. “SKIMS has gone beyond delivering the state of art health care in producing skilled manpower including doctors, paramedics and technicians. The Institute was kept out of government control to ensure efficiency and fast deliverance of facilities,” he said in a statement.
Adding, “undermining the autonomy of SKIMS by bringing it under the administrative control of the health department also runs opposite to the government’s minimum government and maximum governance slogan.”
Former MLA Batamaloo and Apni Party’s Srinagar district President has also condemned the move. He in a tweet said, “Strongly condemn the end of Autonomy of SKIMS, a blatant move to weaken the healthcare system in Kashmir. The autonomy has ensured that the institution operates independently, providing quality healthcare to patients.This decision is unacceptable and smacks of a Conspiracy.”
“It’s totally wrong. We were expecting that these things will happen after the abrogation of Article 370,” said J&K JDU president GM Shaheen.
He urged that the order should be revoked.