MLA Handwara and Peoples Conference President Sajad Gani Lone strongly criticized the delay in finalizing a new site for the Government Medical College (GMC) in Handwara, warning that ₹500 crores in central funding will lapse within 20 days if immediate action is not taken.
During the question hour in the Legislative Assembly, Lone clashed with National Conference (NC) leaders, who insisted that GMC Handwara be located between Handwara and Kupwara. He dismissed their stance as a deliberate attempt to stall the project and emphasized that his priority was securing the allocated funds before they were lost to bureaucratic delays.
“We are also against the existing site. It was shifted to a new location but had to be taken away from the agriculture department. Why this unnecessary delay?” Lone questioned.
He pointed out that the original site near Nallah Pohru was abandoned due to flood risks, yet no alternative location has been finalized, putting the entire project in jeopardy. He also welcomed any enquiry into site selection.
Lone also pressed the government for clarity on securing an extension for the funds. Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Ittoo responded that she had raised the issue with the Centre. Unsatisfied, Lone demanded a clear answer: “I don’t want funds to lapse. Has there been any response to the letter?”
As the debate escalated, Lone accused NC of deliberately creating hurdles, recalling how the party had shifted an engineering college from Kupwara to Safapora Sonawari in 2014. “It is clear that NC is manufacturing obstacles. That is the reality,” he asserted.
