Don’t allow misuse of ambulances, management instructs 108 staff

Chennai

The guidelines have been issued to the staff as there were allegations during the last few elections that politicians transported poll freebies in 108 ambulances to escape the attention of the election officials and flying squads.

The GVK-EMRI management said that the guidelines would be in force till the end of the election. Sources said that speculation was widely rife in the last election that the 108 ambulances were used by parties to move cash and freebies. Subsequently, this became a big issue and lead to a debate in political  campaigns.

Sources added that things turned worse at one point, as some leaders intercepted the 108 services and checked them.

B Prabudass, head of the Tamil Nadu marketing GVK-EMRI 108 ambulance, talking to DTNext dismissed the charge that 108 ambulances were being used to transport freebies and cash during election time as a rumor. “We have issued clear guidelines on dos and don’ts to our employees.”

He also stressed that no one has the right to intercept the 108 ambulances, which is an emergency service, and check them.

Prabudass also warned that if any person stopped the ambulance, the staff would immediately communicate to the collector of the respective district and police officials. However, they had instructed the 108 ambulance staff to check the patients and their relatives before they board the vehicles.

According to the guidelines, the ambulance staff should check the belongings of patients. “The staff must estimate the patient’s belongings like cash and jewels and no one should be allowed to take a photo or video of the patients in the vehicle,” as per the guidelines.