LUDHIANA – Despite the fact that the ‘108’ ambulance service is a Central scheme under the National Rural Health Mission, the state government tries to project it as its own by putting the picture of Chief Minister on the ambulances.
Badal’s pictures were covered following the enforcement of the model code of conduct during the Lok Sabha elections. The pictures have once again been uncovered and figure prominently on the ambulances.
An ambulance staff member said they had uncovered the pictures on the orders of the higher authorities.
The Centre had provided 240 air-conditioned ambulances to Punjab in 2011 for the transportation of patients to hospitals free of cost. But the state government projected the scheme as its own by putting up pictures of the Chief Minister on all vehicles.
The then UPA Government had advised the state authorities not to use the ambulances as publicity vehicles and remove the CM’s pictures. The state was also told to display National Ambulance Service on all vehicles.
