SHILLONG, Jan 11: Chief Minister, Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday said the state government will float a tender if it decides to scrap the contract with GVK EMRI in running the 108 ambulance services.
“We will make a decision taking into account the best interest of the citizens, state government and employees of 108 ambulance service,” Sangma told reporters after meeting the members of Meghalaya Emergency Management and Research Institute Workers’ Union (MEMRIWU).
He said the state government would like to stay away from running different services on its own, stating that it is required to carry out the primary duties of governing the state such as creating policies, maintaining law and order, creating infrastructure etc.
“Therefore, it is advisable for the government to not get involved in the different services. It will be better to utilise the services of the private sectors in running these services on behalf of the government. We are examining the matter and it will be difficult for me to give any commitment on the way forward to resolve this issue,” Sangma said.
Earlier, the staff of GVK EMRI 108 ambulance service had met Health Minister, James PK Sangma to draw his attention to their plight. They are fighting with the management demanding enhancement of salaries and the taking over of the service by the state government.
Clarifying that the state has a contract with GVK EMRI, the CM said the
management of the employees is not directly in the hands of the government and it is upto GVK EMRI to resolve issues.
“But we are always there to look into their problems and figure out the ways and means of supporting the employees. But at the end of the day, the employers of the individuals concerned need to take care of their interest since the service has been outsourced to them. Therefore, it has to be resolved at that level,” he said.
MEMRIWU adviser, Reachingson Kongwang described the meeting with Sangma as positive. He said the CM assured them of taking a final call on the matter after receiving the report from the Health Minister and the Health department. “We are happy that the government will look into the issue of job security and enhancement of the staff’s salaries,” Kongwang said. According to him, they had insisted the state government take over the services once the contract with the GVK EMRI expires on March 31 next.