The Madhya Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party government faced embarrassing moments in the state Assembly on Wednesday as there were allegations of massive financial irregularities in the Government-run ambulance service in cities across the state and special favours being shown to a mining contractor monopolising the sand mining business along the banks of the Narmada and Tawa rivers in Hoshangabad, Raisen and Sehore districts.
Both the issues were brought up for discussion through calling attention notices in the Assembly. The ambulance issue was raised by ruling BJP MLA Vishwas Sarang while deputy leader of Opposition Chaudhary Rakesh Singh Chaturvedi exposed the sand mining business being run with the help of “arms and muscle power” right under the nose of those heading the state mining administration. BJP’s Vishwas Sarang told the House that there has been reckless handling of state funds. He said that Rs 10.75 crore were transferred to the Hyderabad account of GVK Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI) without the government’s approval. This money was meant for purchasing 100 ambulances, Mr Sarang said, adding that a part of this money was used for the air travel, payment of hotel bills and salaries to senior managers by this organisation. He further said that the equipment fitted in these ambulances is below standard and even the medicines being used in these ambulances have expired.