Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Vijay Sampla has advised the Congress leaders not to play politics over the issue of setting up of AIIMS.Giving his reaction on the dharna staged by Congress leader Sukhpal Khaira, the Union Minister said its shameful that Congress is playing politics over the issue as successive Congress governments at the Centre failed to sanction this project for Punjab. “Now when Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, led government has sanctioned the AIIMS for Punjab, the Congressmen have started earning political brownie points from this issue. Why they did not hold such demonstrations when Punjab was deprived of this health institution in previous years?” questioned Sampla.
As far as setting up of this institute is concerned, Sampla said that it was the wish of every political leader to have such a high class institution in his or her assembly.“Even I desired the same and have repeatedly expressed this before media and the public to have this institution in my constituency. But ultimately it’s the prerogative of the Chief Minister. The final call over this has to be taken by the state government after Central Government approved funds for this project,” said Sampla, who termed the controversy over the issue uncalled for.