Chief Minister Demands AIIMS in Kozhikode, Highlights Four Key Issues to Prime Minister

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi, reiterating Kerala’s demand for an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Kozhikode and bringing several other critical issues to the Prime Minister’s attention. The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s residence, saw the Chief Minister press for expedited action on the AIIMS project, for which four potential sites had already been proposed, with a strong preference for Kozhikode.
During the discussions, Chief Minister Vijayan urged for central government intervention to support Kerala’s overall progress, disaster relief efforts, and to stabilize its financial situation. A key demand reiterated was the allocation of Rs 2221 crore for rehabilitation efforts in Wayanad, with a specific request that this amount not be categorized as a loan, recognizing the urgency and severity of the region’s needs.
The Chief Minister also sought the Prime Minister’s personal intervention to relax the existing restrictions on Kerala’s borrowing limit and to reverse the cuts imposed on its financial capacity. Further financial demands included the prompt return of IGST recovery funds and the waiver of reductions applied to off-budget borrowing, which have severely constrained the state’s fiscal maneuvering space.
Addressing agricultural concerns, Chief Minister Vijayan requested the immediate release of arrears owed by the Central government for paddy procurement. He highlighted that delays in these payments are causing significant financial hardship for both farmers and the state’s Supplyco agency, impacting agricultural sustainability and farmer welfare.
The Chief Minister also pointed out a “double blow” for the state: while Kerala has contributed its 25 percent share towards land acquisition costs for national highway projects as per central directives, the concurrent reduction in its borrowing limits has made it challenging to manage these expenses. He requested permission to borrow the equivalent amount to cover these essential infrastructure contributions. The demand for AIIMS, a long-standing aspiration for Kerala, was underscored, with the Chief Minister confirming the identification of a suitable site in Kinaloor, Kozhikode, for the prestigious medical institution.