The lapse of Rs 90 crore in capital expenditure funds over the past three years at the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) has raised serious concerns about financial management at the premier healthcare institution. However, for the first time since 2021, all allocated funds have been fully utilized this year, including Rs 50 crore in central funding.
The issue was brought to light in the Legislative Assembly when MLA Tangmarg, Farooq Ahmad Shah, sought details on fund utilization at SKIMS. In response, Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakina Masood Ittoo, informed the House that a total of Rs 90 crore remained unutilized over the past three financial years. She provided a breakdown of the lapses, stating that Rs 34.16 crore went unused in 2021-22, Rs 21.72 crore in 2022-23, and Rs 34.22 crore in 2023-24.
The revelation has sparked discussions over budgetary inefficiencies during the tenure of former SKIMS Director, Dr. Parvaiz Koul, under whom the lapses occurred. Sources said the inability to utilize allocated funds had hindered infrastructure development and procurement of essential medical equipment at the institute.
However, the current administration at SKIMS has ensured the complete utilization of funds this year. “For the first time in years, we have successfully utilized the entire budget, including Rs 50 crore received from the central government,” SKIMS Director, Prof. Muhammad Ashraf Ganaie told the news agency Kashmir News Trust. [KNT]
