Jaypee takes over VMRI project in Palampur

Shimla: The Jaypee group of industries’ trust has taken over the much-delayed super-speciality Vivekanand Medical Research Institute (VMRI) project in Palampur, following a tripartite agreement signed here.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) involves VMRI, the Jaypee group’s Jaypee Sewa Sansthan (JSS), a non-profit trust and the state government.

“JSS will provide financial, managerial and organisational support for setting up a super-speciality medical college along with a nursing college. The project will be completed in two years,” said Shanta Kumar, Rajya Sabha MP and chairman of the VMRI. The state government has provided prime land for the project in Palampur town, located in the Kangra valley.

The VMRI project was launched in 1992, after Rs 25 crore were donated by people and institutions for this dream project of Kumar, but failed to materialise due to various reasons.

Only the first stage of the naturopathy, yoga and “kaya kalp’ centre has been completed so far.

“Patients from across India and 40 countries have been visiting the VMRI for treatment.There is also a provision for free treatment of the poor,” said Kumar.

The deal was signed by Manoj Gaur, JSS’s managing trustee, Deepak Shanan, principal health secretary of the state government, and Shanta Kumar.