No autonomy for SKIMS, no holiday on Dec 5: BJP

Srinagar, Dec 5: The J&K unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thursday strongly criticised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for advocating autonomy for Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) and demanding for reinstating of December 5 as a public holiday.

J&K BJP’s General Secretary (Organisation) Ashok Koul told local news gathering agency KINS that the demands put forth by CM Omar were steps towards reviving the political atmosphere of the 1990s.

Koul dismissed the necessity of granting autonomy to SKIMS, suggesting that the institute was functioning well under the current administrative structure.

Reflecting on its condition up to the year 2000, the BJP leader alleged that the institute had become an “epicentre of militancy” with some employees even involved in such activities.

He said that SKIMS had been streamlined and transformed into a reputable healthcare institution serving people from every corner of J&K.

Koul expressed concern over any move to restore the institute’s autonomy, suggesting that it could potentially revert SKIMS to its “problematic past”.

He highlighted the critical role SKIMS now plays in providing treatment to thousands across the region and cautioned against decisions that might jeopardise this progress.

About the demand by NC of reinstating a holiday on December 5, the anniversary of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah, the BJP leader said, “There are enough holidays in the calendar. So, there is no need to add more.”

Earlier in the day, Advisor to CM, Nasir Aslam Wani had stated that the council of ministers had sent a proposal to the Lieutenant Governor’s office demanding the restoration of the holiday on December 5.