Irfan Tramboo

Guv, CS skip SKIMS annual day function in Srinagar

Guv, CS skip SKIMS annual day function in Srinagar
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Srinagar: The Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura Wednesday had to carry on with its 36th Annual Day function—which is observed on the birth anniversary of Sheikh Muhammad Abdullah—with the absence of the Governor Satya Pal Malik who was set to preside over the day-long function at SKICC.

The Governor, who was scheduled to come to Srinagar for the function, did not turn up, while as the officials had to carry on with the function amid his absence at the Convention Centre located on the banks of Dal Lake.

Those who attended the function said that at the last moment when everyone was waiting for him (Governor) it was informed that “he is not coming due to unknown reasons.”

Surprisingly, the state’s Chief Secretary, BVR Subramanian was the guest of honour for the function and he also did not turn up due to reason that were not conveyed to the organizers.

Sources, meanwhile said that both Governor Malik and CS had been called for some emergency meeting at Delhi. However, the news was refuted by an official spokesman.

All in all, the Chief Guest and the Guest of Honour for the function did not turn up for the SKIMS annual day function and the advisors to the Governor, B B Vyas, Vijay Kumar and KK Sharma only attended the function on Wednesday. The advisors later released SKIMS annual report and other publications.

Apart from the advisors, Member Parliament, Dr Farooq Abdullah also attended the function. During his cut-short speech, Dr Farooq announced Rs 1 crore for the SKIMS auditorium from his MP fund, while praising the institution for the work it has so far accomplished.

Pertinently, Dr Farooq had earlier also announced financial assistance to SKIMS auditorium back in 2013 on the same day when the SKIMS was observing its 31st annual day—the promise which was reiterated after five years again.

Later in the evening, a government spokesperson while referring to the absence of Governor Malik from SKIMS function, said that he could not make it to SKIMS Soura annual day function on Wednesday morning, “as he was unwell.”

Regarding the absence of Chief Secretary’s from the event, the spokesperson said he was on a visit to Delhi.

“Chief Secretary is in the capital on a scheduled visit to attend a series of meetings regarding PMDP, Ujh, Shahpur Kandi and Ratle Power Projects,” he said, adding that the dates for these meetings “had been fixed a month back.”

On the other side, the SKIMS annual on Wednesday was a kind of private event, as the entry was subjected to the invitations that were earlier issued by the organizing committee of the SKIMS. A majority of journalists, who were not invited to the function were not allowed inside the convention centre and had to return back.

When the issue was brought into the notice of officials, they feigned ignorance, however PRO SKIMS said that “it will be taken care of in future,” she said.

“The invitations were given out by the Organizing Committee of the event, the issue of not inviting other journalists will be taken care of in future,” she said.


Irfan Tramboo

Irfan Tramboo is a reporter and covers education and health and can be contacted [email protected]

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