Raichur activists dig in for long campaign to secure AIIMS

Belagavi: Incensed with reports of chief minister BS Yediyurappa’s keenness on establishing a branch of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Kalaburagi, several organisations in Raichur have united to exert pressure on the state government to set up the premier healthcare institution in their district. Activists in Raichur sought to remind Yediyurappa of a promise he had made in 2015, when he was in the opposition, assuring the people of the district housing a branch of AIIMS.
Members and activists of several progressive, Dalit and medical organisations based in Raichur met on Sunday to chalk out a plan to ensure the CM keeps his promise. The activists have constituted Raichur District AIIMS Horata Samiti, an umbrella outfit to pursue their goal.
Leading members of the newly-formed organisation will meet Raichur deputy commissioner on Tuesday and submit a memorandum, which will mark the beginning of their campaign. On September 17, coinciding with the Hyderabad-Karnataka Liberation Day, representatives of the horata samiti will meet deputy chief minister Laxman Savadi, and express the desire of the people to him. Razak Ustad, who is leading the protest, told TOI that protests would be held at all the taluk headquarters of the district. “A delegation of the new outfit’s representatives will meet Yediyurappa during the current assembly session,” said Ustad.
He pointed out that the district had previously been cheated of a branch of the Indian Institute of Technology.
Raghavendra Kustagi, another activist who has thrown himself into the fight, said that establishing a branch of AIIMS in Raichur would save the people of Kalyana Karnataka the hassle of having to travel to Hyderabad for advanced medical treatment. Citing Raichur’s backwardness, he said, “If this hospital is set up here, more employment opportunities will be created. We have appealed to our MLAs and MP to support our cause.”