By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Oct 11: Despite a year passing by since the contract termination with GVK EMRI, the Meghalaya government is yet to rope in a new party to run the 108 ambulance services in the state.
It may be mentioned that the government had succumbed to the indefinite strike by the EMRI Worker’s Union last year seeking the termination of the contract with GVK EMRI. It could not be negotiated with despite several efforts by the state government, and had adversely affected the delivery of emergency health services.
Ever since closure notice was issued, the state government has been managing the ambulance services without the department having the expertise to do it.
Recently, the state government floated tender for operation of 108 services in the state but the mention of radio taxis in a clause of the tender floated for 108 ambulance service was flagged by the majority fearing discrepancies.
A series of allegations were also raised about the tender being designed to accommodate a few with radio taxis.
Prior to this, the bidding process was undertaken last year to engage a new service provider for operating the 108 ambulances in the state.
However, the process had come under the scanner as the bidders had alleged that the process lacked transparency and the country’s top players operating ambulances were disqualified.
Earlier, the contract with GVK EMRI had ended on March 31, 2021, following which a one-year extension was given to the company.
At the end of the tenure on March 31, 2022, the state government had given yet another extension which ended on June 30.
