Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav on Thursday said that there was no ban on the use of word “Samajwadi” on NRHM funded ambulances in the state. While launching the 108 ambulance services in September 2012, the SP government had named it as Samajwadi ambulance service.
Talking to mediapersons after the cabinet meeting, Yadav said that a decision had been taken to introduce 102 ambulance service to take pregnant women to hospitals.
When asked about the central government’s objection to the use of word ‘Samajwadi’ on NHRM funded ambulances, Yadav said the state government would have to share more financial burden on these services in future and so there was nothing wrong in giving it a particular name. He said with the plan to launch 1000 more 102 services, a total 1972 ambulances would be available for patients in the state. He said the row over the naming of the service was thus meaningless. Since national rural health mission (NRHM) is fully central government funded scheme, the Congress had raised objection over the name.
Thereafter, the union health ministry had also written to the state government directing it to call “national ambulance service”. The state government, refusing to change the name retrospectively had reportedly assured the centre to look into the matter at the time of launch of 102 service. However, now, the chief minister’s “no ban” comment has given a fresh twist to the issue.
{{/usCountry}}Thereafter, the union health ministry had also written to the state government directing it to call “national ambulance service”. The state government, refusing to change the name retrospectively had reportedly assured the centre to look into the matter at the time of launch of 102 service. However, now, the chief minister’s “no ban” comment has given a fresh twist to the issue.
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