Emri A Scam Too?

EMRI a scam too? 10 Jan 2009, 0522 hrs IST, TNN HYDERABAD: Those who have been crying foul against various state governments patronising the `108' EMRI ambulance service have now lodged a fresh police complaint alleging theft of public money by the Rajus through EMRI. The `108' ambulance service has curiously been patronised by 12 state governments across the country, with eight handpicking it without even floating tenders. The Emergency Management and Research Institute's (EMRI) 108 service has been launched in various states including Andhra Pradesh in collaboration with Satyam Computers. EMRI, which is spread over eight states, including Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Goa, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Assam, has a nationwide workforce of 11,000 with 5,000 people working in Andhra Pradesh. Though it is a `public-private' partnership, 95 per cent of funds are being provided by the state government (Rs 100 crore per year), with EMRI bearing just five per cent of the operation cost. Critics of the 108 service, who think it's a political scam given the way it has "easily'' bagged contracts in various state, point out that board members such as Krishna Palepu who resigned from Satyam continued as board members of EMRI until the last minute and quit only after the scam started unfolding. However, it could not be confirmed with EMRI officials. "Money allotted for trauma centres in some states has been sanctioned to this ambulance service. This money was meant to create good hospitals, how could they simply sanction it to basic ambulance service,'' questions a city doctor, further questioning their claims on saving lives. "Also, if Satyam created this software as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility, why are they selling it to other states and not giving it for free,'' the senior official questions, putting the figure of deals with each state at Rs 10 crore just for the software. Some even dispute the free service offered by 108 saying that every service, including transportation of their faculty to reach the site is charged. "each of their expenses are met by the government,'' a senior source confirms. In AP, the government had entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in 2006 with Satyam, handpicking it for its `credibility'. Currently, 652 ambulances in the state are operated under this public-private partnership. Satyam is also the technology partner for the Rs 300 crore project of Fixed Day Health Scheme `104' providing health services in rural areas. Though 475 vehicles were initially planned, as of now, only 100 are on the road. The scheme, which was to start in June 2008, however, got delayed for a long time as the contractor had backed out. But an HMRI spokesperson said, "It is too early to say anything. HMRI is not a part of Satyam." A public interest litigation filed in the Supreme Court in November last year alleged that the EMRI ambulance service reeked of a Rs 5,600 crore scam. The PIL by two NGOs Ambulance Access Foundation India (AAFI) and Transparency in Contracts (TIC) filed in November 2008 claimed that EMRI had signed MoUs with eight states to provide ambulance and emergency response services without any tender process. It said funds for operating ambulance and emergency response services, to be operationalised by EMRI, would be provided by states from the central grants it receives under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). "I hope somebody takes up the matter now. There has been an extreme violation of processes. How is it possible that no other agency could get this contract in so many state governments,'' questioned a senior doctor. The court in November had issued notices to various state governments and EMRI. "We are yet to submit our reply to the court," EMRI chief executive officer (CEO) Sudhakar Nukala told TOI. The case is scheduled to come up for hearing in the last week of January. Sudhakar Nukala also said that EMRI was "not a part of Satyam''. "Satyam is giving only technology support to us," he maintained. However, commissioner, family welfare, Anil Punetha said, "We have assessed the situation. EMRI is a separate entity and anything concerning Satyam will not have any bearing on it. Presently, the technology is with EMRI."

"Loved reading this piece by AEJAZ AHMED?
Join LAWyersClubIndia's network for daily News Updates, Judgment Summaries, Articles, Forum Threads, Online Law Courses, and MUCH MORE!!"

Join our Telegram group

Join our Whatsapp group