NEW DELHI — Chief Minister Murali Ezhuthachan on Wednesday sharply criticized the central government for maintaining an adamant stance against the establishment of new All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) campuses in Kerala, describing the federal position as obstructive to the state’s healthcare infrastructure goals. The remarks, delivered during a public address in Thiruvananthapuram, marked a significant escalation in the political discourse surrounding the allocation of medical education resources between the state and the Union government.
The Chief Minister stated that the state government has fulfilled all statutory prerequisites for the proposed AIIMS campuses, including the provision of land and initial funding commitments, yet the central authorities have continued to delay approval processes. He alleged that the delay is not administrative but political, suggesting that the central government is withholding institutional support to exert leverage over state-level governance. The state government has long advocated for the expansion of super-specialty medical facilities to reduce the outflow of patients to neighboring states and metropolitan centers for advanced treatment.
According to official state records, Kerala has identified specific sites for the proposed AIIMS campuses, with land acquisition processes initiated under state legislation. The state finance department has earmarked funds for the initial construction phase, contingent upon central approval. However, the Union Health Ministry has not issued a formal notification for the new institutions, citing broader national planning priorities and resource constraints. The central government’s position, as communicated through official channels, emphasizes the need for a phased approach to AIIMS expansion, prioritizing states with lower existing medical infrastructure density.
Chief Minister Murali rejected this rationale, arguing that Kerala’s existing healthcare burden and demographic profile justify immediate expansion. He noted that the state already hosts several premier medical institutions, but the demand for super-specialty care continues to outpace capacity. The Chief Minister’s office released a statement following the address, reiterating that the state is committed to enhancing medical education standards and that the central government’s stance is inconsistent with the cooperative federalism principles enshrined in the Constitution.
National health policy analysts have noted that the dispute over AIIMS expansions has become a recurring point of contention between state and central governments in recent years. The AIIMS Act, 2016, grants the central government exclusive authority over the establishment, management, and funding of AIIMS institutions. While states can propose sites and contribute to infrastructure costs, final approval rests with the Union Cabinet. This centralized control has led to periodic friction, particularly in states with strong political opposition to the central government.
In response to the Chief Minister’s remarks, a senior official from the Union Health Ministry, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the government is reviewing all pending AIIMS proposals in accordance with established guidelines. The official emphasized that decisions are based on merit, demographic need, and financial viability, and that no political considerations influence the process. The ministry has not provided a specific timeline for the resolution of Kerala’s proposal.
The Kerala government has indicated that it may explore alternative avenues to address the healthcare gap, including the expansion of existing state-run medical colleges and the establishment of private super-specialty hospitals under regulatory oversight. However, the state leadership maintains that AIIMS status carries significant academic and research prestige, which is crucial for attracting top medical talent and international collaborations.
Political commentators have observed that the dispute may have implications for broader center-state relations, particularly in the context of upcoming state elections and national policy discussions on healthcare decentralization. The central government has recently signaled a shift toward greater state autonomy in certain sectors, but medical education remains a largely centralized domain. The outcome of the AIIMS proposal in Kerala is expected to serve as a precedent for similar demands from other states.
As of Wednesday, no formal legal challenge has been filed by the Kerala government regarding the delay. The state administration continues to engage with central ministries through diplomatic channels, seeking a resolution that aligns with the state’s healthcare objectives. The central government, meanwhile, has reiterated its commitment to expanding medical education across India, with several new AIIMS campuses approved in other states in recent years.
