Assam: 108 Mrityunjoy Ambulance Workers Threaten Protest in State

STAFF REPORTER

Guwahati: The 108 Mrityunjoy Ambulance workers in Assam, who are responsible for saving lives during emergencies, are now fighting for their own survival. Employees of the emergency ambulance service, operated by GVK EMRI, have been demanding basic rights such as timely salaries, fair treatment, and better working conditions for months.

 However, their pleas have been met with silence, and frustration is mounting. With no action from authorities despite repeated complaints, the workers are now warning of mass protests if their grievances are not addressed.

Employees speak out: ‘Profits over Patients’ The Assam government had entrusted Hyderabad-based GVK EMRI with running the 108 emergency ambulance services for five years, aiming to improve emergency healthcare. However, workers allege that the company prioritizes profits over service quality. They claim that several ambulances remain off the roads due to staff shortages, delayed maintenance, and lack of fuel supply.

Many vehicles reportedly remain unused due to faulty tires and mechanical breakdowns, leading to delays in emergency response. “The government wanted to provide emergency medical services to people, but the company only seems to care about profits. They reduce staff, delay repairs, and keep ambulances off the roads at night.

 Pending Salaries, Arbitrary Deductions & Transfer Issues Workers have also raised concerns over pending salaries, unexplained salary deductions, and unfair transfer policies that allegedly favor certain individuals. Despite repeated requests and even an official directive from the Labour Commissioner, there has been no action taken against the management.

According to a GVK EMRI official, there are 800 ambulances across Assam, with 27 in Guwahati. As per norms, there should be one Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance per 1 lakh population. However, this raises a critical question: Out of the 800 ambulances, how many are actually operational? With allegations of non-functional vehicles and poor working conditions, the effectiveness of Assam’s 108 emergency ambulance services is now under serious scrutiny. Employees are now urging the government to intervene immediately, warning that if their demands are not met, they will have no choice but to take their protest to the streets.

 Also Read: Assam: Mrityunjoy 108 Ambulance Service Marks 16 Years of Operations

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