The Kerala High Court on Wednesday sought the criterion the Centre adopts to establish an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in different States. 

It further asked why such an institution has not been established so far in Kerala. The court was hearing a plea by the AIIMS Kasaragod Janakeeya Kootayma, which sought speedy measures to establish the institute in Kasaragod. 

The Centre had in 2014 asked different States to specify sites where AIIMS could be established. At present, 18 States have AIIMS, while it is being built in four others. The Centre says it is its policy to establish an AIIMS in each State. Then why not in Kerala, the court asked.  

The court had in February ordered that a competent official, preferably from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, appear virtually before it on March 11, based on which a Joint Secretary of the Ministry appeared online. 

The High Court had earlier directed the Centre to file an affidavit and do a feasibility study, in coordination with the State, to ascertain an ideal location for AIIMS in Kerala.