The Jammu & Kashmir government has reaffirmed that the Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura remains an autonomous institution, with no changes to its status before or after the reorganization of J&K.
Responding to a query from MLA Tangmarg, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Minister for Health and Medical Education Sakina Masood Ittoo informed the Legislative Assembly that SKIMS continues to function as both a tertiary care hospital and a deemed university. It grants degrees under the SKIMS (Grant of Degrees Act), 1983, while its budget allocation remains under the Health Department.
The government clarified that SKIMS has always been under the Health and Medical Education Department as per the First Schedule of Government Business Rules. This structure was retained post-reorganization through the Transaction of Business Rules-2019 issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Addressing recruitment concerns, the minister stated that vacancies had accumulated over the years. To streamline hiring and promotions, recruitment responsibilities were transferred to the Jammu & Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) and the Jammu & Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB). Additionally, the Jammu & Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation has been tasked with procurement for SKIMS due to inefficiencies in its internal system.
The government also revealed that Rs 90 crore in capital expenditure funds lapsed over the past three financial years, with Rs 34.16 crore unutilized in 2021-22, Rs 21.72 crore in 2022-23, and Rs 34.22 crore in 2023-24. The lapse in funds has raised concerns over financial management at the premier medical institution.