SHILLONG, APR 8: The Meghalaya EMRI Workers Union has urged the state government to regularize the 108 Emergency Service and halt plans to re-tender the service to a private company, citing poor past performance under private management and smooth operations under the National Health Mission (NHM).

In a memorandum submitted to the Health Minister Wailadmiki Shylla, the Union said the service has been operational for 16 years since 2008 and is considered the “top most essential service” addressing emergency needs of citizens.

The Union registered strong protest against re-tendering the service, stating, “After the bad performance by the GVK Company that was tendered to run this service, it compelled the staffs and the citizens to register a protest in the past and it had affected the emergency responses to the people especially those who met with the accidents.”

Highlighting issues faced under GVK’s management, the Union noted, “We have experienced many bad performances during the times of GVK, ranging from maintenance with inability of permanent workshop, inability to repair the ambulance in time, cost cutting, lack of manpower, inadequate supply of medical items, low stock, and so on so forth.”

In contrast, the workers said the service has been “running very smoothly with no problems” since NHM took over the management.

The Union argued that since the service is government-sponsored and essential, “it’s genuine that the Government must take this management by their own,” adding that tendering to a company “will only lead to corruption” and “privatization.”

“Taking away the management from the Government, the people would be in trouble as the Company will own the service not the people or the Government,” the memorandum stated.

The workers urged the state government to “put an end of re-tendering this essential service and take into consideration the Regularization of the service of the staffs” for the welfare and benefit of the people within the state.

Further, the union has also expressed strong objections to the government’s reported decision to award a sub-tender to “Shishupal Agency” for recruitment in the 108 Emergency Response Services, demanding direct recruitment by the government instead.

“(We) formally convey our strong opposition to the reported decision to award a sub-tender to ‘Shishupal Agency’ for the recruitment of personnel across various posts within the 108 Emergency Response Services.”

The Union reiterated its long-standing demand for direct recruitment.
“We firmly believe that engaging third-party agencies for essential emergency services frequently results in unjust working conditions and a significant lack of transparency.”

Calling for equal opportunity, the Union proposed that the Government or the National Health Mission (NHM) conduct direct, open recruitment.

“By issuing public advertisements, the State can ensure that every qualified citizen has an equal opportunity to serve in these critical roles.”

Also Read: UDP legislator urges Meghalaya govt to allow traditional coal mining with SOPs

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