By Sajad Lone
Srinagar, September 28 : Reacting to allegations of fund diversion from GMC Handwara to GMC Udhampur, Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Itoo on Sunday denied reports of a diversion of Rs 55 crore from GMC Handwara funds to GMC Udhampur.
Talking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), she said GMC Udhampur has its own funds allocated by the Government of India. Any diversion of funds from one institution to another requires approval from the central government, she said.
She said the allegations leveled by Sajad Lone are baseless and far from reality. Both colleges have been sanctioned by the Government of India and funds have been separately approved for each.
“It is not possible to divert funds from one college to another without the approval of the Government of India. No one has the right to spread misinformation,” she said.
“Both the colleges belong to us, to our people. We will not divert funds from GMC Handwara to GMC Udhampur or vice versa,” Sakina Itoo said.
Regarding the resumption of work at the newly identified location in Nutnusa Handwara, the minister said some NOCs are still pending. “The foundation stone does not matter to us. We just want the college to be established at the earliest,” she added.(KNS)
