CM rejects EMRI plea to fund 108

The Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, on Thursday rejected the proposal of the EMRI, which runs the 108 ambulance services, to bear the entire operational cost.
The government already meets 95 per cent of the cost. The rest is borne by the EMRI, which was handed over to the GVK group after its founder, Satyam group, was embroiled in a multi-million dollar scam.
Sources said the trust argued that management costs have increased and the state government should bear the entire cost. Mr Rosaiah rejected the proposal citing financial constraints.
EMRI officials also proposed to reduce the fleet strength stating that the number of vehicles kept in reserve were excessive.
It was also found that the number of trips of 108 ambulance had come down.
The Chief Minister decided to constitute a special cell for effective monitoring of the 108 and 104 services. He wanted the trusts to cut down all wasteful expenditure.
The Chief Minister was told by the officials that 60,754 lives were saved since August 2005. As many as 38.42 lakh emergencies, including 6.75 lakh pregnancy cases, were attended to by the services during this period.