SKIMS continues to be autonomous: Government

Jammu, Mar 22: The government on Saturday said that Sher-I- Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS), Soura continued to be an autonomous institute.

The government said that the institutional structure and frameworks remained the same as they were at the time of its inception.

On February 28, 2023, the General Administration Department directed the then Director of SKIMS, Soura, to route all matters concerning SKIMS through the Health and Medical Education (H&ME) Department for necessary action by the Competent Authority, raising widespread concerns over the erosion of institute’s autonomy.

In 2023, a delegation of disbanded PAGD comprising Farooq Abdullah, CPI(M) leader M.Y. Tarigami, and PDP leader Mehboob Beg called on Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha and urged him to restore the autonomous status of SKIMS.

Responding to a question from National Conference legislator Farooq Ahamad Shah, the Minister for Health and Medical Education, Skina Itoo said that as a deemed university, it continued to grant degrees as per SKIMS (Grant of Degrees) Act, 1983.

“Further the budget allocations for SKIIMS continues to be charged on the grants of the health budget, as was previously”, said the Minister.

The government informed that there was no change regarding the transaction of business rules of the SKIMS.

“The subject of SKIMS was assigned to the Health and Medical Education Department and post-reorganization same continued vide transaction of Business Rules 2019 issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India via notification G.S.R 534 (E) dated 27.08.2020. So, there is no change vis-à-vis transaction of business rules of SKIMS”, said the Minister.

She said that with respect to appointments and promotions, it was observed that vaccines in both gazetted (including faculty) and non-gazetted positions had got piled up over the years.

In order to support and strengthen the institution, in the interest of patient care and to make the recruitment process and promotion processes transparent, time-bound and merit-based, the services and expertise of two dedicated recruitment agencies, Jammu Kashmir Public Service Commission and Jammu Kashmir Services Selection Board have been provided to

SKIMS for recruitment of gazetted (including faculty) and non-gazetted posts.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to improving healthcare services, the Minister further informed that working within the Health and Medical Education Department fostered collaboration with other healthcare institutions, enhancing patient care and research initiatives.

“Being part of the department ensures better allocation of resources”, informed the government.

The government also added that such collaborations and integrations would allow contribution to broader healthcare policies and initiatives.