SHILLONG, Dec 22: Almost two-and-half years have gone by since the state government terminated its contract with GVK EMRI to run the 108 ambulance services but the government has not been able to appoint a firm to operate the ambulances in the state.
With the inability of the state government to float a fresh tender, the firms who had earlier shown interest in running the services are now left in the dark about the intentions of the government.
“There is no word from the government on its intention to run the ambulance services,” an official from one of the firms said on condition of anonymity.
Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh had recently admitted that the department, learning from past mistakes, is moving cautiously to complete the bidding process of the 108 ambulance services soon.
Ever since closure notice was issued to GVK EMRI, the National Health Mission (NHM) has been managing the ambulance services without the department having the expertise to do it.
Last year, 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, a bidding process was undertaken to engage a new service provider.
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.
The contract with GVK EMRI had ended on March 31, 2021, following which a one-year extension was given to the company, followed by another six-month extension before the contract was terminated.
