GUWAHATI, Aug 11 - Congress MLA Pijush Hazarika today demanded that the proposed All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) should be set up in Raha as the place would be able to suit the need of people from across the State.
The MLA from Raha constituency, raising the point of order, said that the connectivity of the proposed area is quite good and should serve medical needs of people from far-flung areas.
The Centre had asked the State to identify three suitable plots for setting up of AIIMS which included Raha, North Guwahati and Sonapur. A team of experts had visited the State twice during the last six months to assess the situation.
Congress MLAs Ardhendu Dey and Durlav Chamua, besides AGP legislators Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and Keshav Mahanta backed the demand raised by the Raha MLA. AIUDF MLA Rafikul Islam, however, favoured Guwahati as the appropriate place for setting up of the AIIMS.
Replying to the query, Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Nazrul Islam said that the State Government has no say in this regard and that the decision taken by the Centre would be the final one.
Replying to the demand raised by the AGP MLA PK Mahanta that the Government should bear all the medical expenses of ailing artiste Surya Das, Dr Islam said that appropriate steps would be taken. Cultural Affairs Minister Bismita Gogoi informed the House that an ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 would be released for the ailing artiste.
