Chennai, June 5 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin

today urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to immediately

commence the construction works for setting up of AIIMS at

Madurai by appointing a team of officials with adequate

financial and administrative powers.

In a Demi-Official letter to Mr Modi, copies of which were

released to be media here, he said the expeditious setting

up of the institution was necessary for providing quality

tertiary care to the people in the southern districts of the

State as well as neighbouring States.

Recalling that the foundation stone for the establishment

of AIIMS at Thoppur, Madurai was laid by the Prime Minister

on January 27, 2019, he said the land for the prestigious

institution has already been transferred to the Government

of India by the State Government.

However, except for the putting up of a compound wall, there

has not been any physical progress in the establishment of

the institution, Mr Stalin pointed out.

"It is learnt that the Government of India has appointed a

President, an Executive Director and some Committees for

the Institute. However, it is also learnt that the Committees

do not have clear authority to execute a project of this size",

he added.

Mr Stalin said meanwhile, due to this avoidable delay, there

are also reports that the option of starting the institution

temporarily at some other location is also being considered.

It is felt that this may further delay the project.

'Therefore, I request that a dedicated team of officers with

adequate financial and administrative powers may be appointed

immediately and measures may be taken by the Union Ministry

of Health and Family Welfare to finalize and commence the

construction works immediately", the Chief Minister said.

The State Government is willing to extend all cooperation needed

for the immediate commencement and early completion of the project,

he said and sought the personal intervention of Mr Modi in this regard.

UNI GV 1415