New company to take over 108 emergency services in Meghalaya

Staff Reporter

Shillong, Nov 1: Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh today said that the new company will take over the 108 emergency services within two weeks’ time.

Speaking to reporters, Lyngdoh informed that the department is happy this time that 7 companies have participated in the bidding process and this has happened for the first time.

“I hope this will yield a good result in the interest of the service for the people of the state,” she said.

Lyngdoh said, “We are expecting it to complete or close by the end of today but the new company will likely take approximately a fortnight to actually roll out its services in full capacity.”

In her meeting with the 108 workers yesterday, the minister said that it was just a continuation of the commitment as a government to ensure that workers of the 108 feel convinced and confident that the government is trying its level best to ensure that the rights of 108 workers are protected.

“I had promised them in the previous meeting that once the bid was getting progressed I would brief them on what is the plan of action we have in mind to protect the interest of the 108 workers,” she added.

Lyngdoh informed that every company has been asked as part of the technical bid to present a full-fledged plan for workers of 108.

“Things like insurance coverage, ex-gratia, health coverage, accident insurances – all of these insurances have now been promised all of the bidders who have come for this 108 bid. The bid has also mandated that we ensure a regular increment for the 108 workers, which was something which was not really taking off so that was also being discussed and 7 per cent annual increment has also been promised by all of the bidders in the technical round of the bidding,” she said.

She said that the meeting was just an interaction with the workers to assure them that “we are concerned about the future of their jobs and we have told them that few procedures have to be followed.”

The minister however said that a testing of skills of workers will obviously be there and they will be offered employment which is negotiable depending on their experience and depending on their understanding of the assignment that they are going to be engaged in.

She said that the government want to ensure that the 108 life-saving service matches the promises made.

Construction of Tura Medical College in progress

Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh has informed that the work for the construction of the Tura medical college is progressing.

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“We have about 45 per cent of physical progress. There are some problems (and) we are engaging with other nearby hospitals to ensure that we reach the mark of 450 beds as recommended by the MCI,” Lyngdoh told reporters.

She said that there were also certain problems with the availability of funds but that also has been sorted out.

The minister also announced that she will be visiting the construction site very shortly and said, “I am waiting for the model code of conduct to be completed quickly so I can begin to go on the ground to understand better but the Tura Medical College is progressing.

On the proposal to set up the Shillong medical college, Lyngdoh said that the government is yet to formulate a finalized approach and the matter has still to be taken to the cabinet adding that “but internal engagements are on”.

“We still require proper cabinet note to be sent proper projections to be made but yes Shillong medical college will probably change from the old proposal,” she said while adding that “We may have a PPP proposal as proposed earlier but not necessarily in Shillong but somewhere in this part of the state but all of this is being prepared now and it would be incorrect for me to divulge too much on that but one message which can go very clearly is that we are a concern and we are on the job and we will come up with a proposal and a plan at the earliest.”

When asked, Lyngdoh said, “We want these institutions to be materialized within the timeline that was specified. I know that yes we were told to institute one and it has been done in the Garo region yes we have to institute something in the Khasi region or the Ri Bhoi region as well that is we are on the job and on the pipeline but we cannot spell it out with full authority as we are still at a discussion level and we still looking at what is the best way forward.”

AIM against gambling in melas

The Awakening Indian Movement (AIM) has sought the intervention of the deputy commissioner of East Khasi Hills district to ensure a blanket ban on gambling at melas being organized by different agencies.

Speaking to media persons, chairman of AIM Bansharai Marbaniang said that many people from other part of the country come to Meghalaya to host various kinds of melas, however these melas have games that encourage gambling with money which is detrimental and have a negative impact on the welfare of the people.

Marbaniang alleged that melas throughout the country are being held in order to provide entertainment to all citizens where they can experience happiness especially for children, students, and youth but at present melas in Meghalaya are being held with gambling which have detrimental and a negative impact on the welfare of the people.

“During our visit to the mela held at the Parking Lot outside Polo Ground in Shillong, the mela hosted various gambling activities with money and young people and students in uniform participated in various gambling games” said Marbaniang.

Marbaniang said that AIM is not against organizing melas in the state, however it stands against the act of gambling that is being held at the venues hence the AIM sought the intervention into this matter.