SHILLONG, July 27: Health minister James Sangma has informed that the state government cannot take over and run the EMRI emergency 108 services in the state.

This was informed by the president of Meghalaya EMRI Workers Union (MEMRIWU) Microlina Syiemlieh after the meeting with Health Minister.

Speaking to media persons, Syiemlieh said that the health minister had informed the union that the process of tender is already on for new company to operate the emergency services as the state government had taken the decision to not renew or extend the contract with GVK.

Syiemlieh said that in the meeting with the health minister, the union had clearly urged the minister to initiate steps for the state government to take over and run the EMRI 108 in the state as the present management had drastically failed in its duty.

“In the meeting we had detailed discussion with health minister and the union had demanded for the state government to take over and run the emergency services to provide quality health services to the people of the state,” she said.

Syiemlieh said that meeting with minister was not successful as the minister had hinted for privatization of EMRI 108 but he had assured the union that the state government will make sure that its employees will not face difficulties in the future.

She added that the health minister had informed the union that till date there is no state in India that runs the 108 emergency services and the Meghalaya government is in no condition of taking over the services.

“From the union we have asked the health minister to take up the issue in the cabinet, on why the state government cannot take decision to operate the 108 emergency service in the state,” she further said.

Syiemlieh said that the health minister had expressed that the state government will not allow any another company to harass its employees in the future.