Right 108 wrongs: Trinamool urges govt

SHILLONG, July 26: Trinamool Congress MLA Himalaya M. Shangpliang on Tuesday urged the NPP-led MDA government to take corrective measures for ending the malpractices and discrepancies in the functioning of the 108 emergency services.
He asked Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Health Minister James PK Sangma to resolve the issues concerning the EMRI. He also demanded immediate recruitment of personnel at the emergency response centre.
“At present, only one person is manning the centre that requires at least six people according to the shift duty norms,” Shangpliang told reporters after his meeting with EMRI workers who have been on an indefinite strike for nine days now.
He said people especially in the rural areas have been suffering since the 108 services came to a standstill after the staff went on strike. People in need will now have to shell out money for availing the services of private ambulances, he added. “There is a need to end the strike of the employees,” Shangpliang said, faulting GVK EMRI on the quality of service owing to cost-cutting.