‘Samajwadi’ removed from ambulances after EC order
The state government on Saturday removed the word ‘Samajwadi’ from the 1,488 staterun ambulances following a direction from the election commission (EC).
In 2012, before the assembly polls, the EC had similarly ordered covering of the elephant statues installed by the then BSP government in dalit memorials and parks.
Speaking to HT, UP additional chief electoral officer (CEO) PK Pandey said, “The election commission has directed UP chief secretary Rahul Bhatnagar to cover the word ‘Samajwadi’ painted on the ambulances run by the state health and family welfare department”.
According to Pandey, one JPS Rathor had moved a petition before the election commission demanding removal of the word ‘Samajwadi’ from the ambulances.
In his petition, Rathor said the ruling Samajwadi Party had branded the ambulances ‘Samajwadi’ and SP leaders were highlighting the service in their election campaigns.
“The ambulance service was launched by the state government and so the ruling political party cannot use it in its election campaign. It was against the ethics of the election, under which all the political parties are given a level-playing field by the election commission,” said the petitioner. Taking cognizance of the petition, the EC directed the UP chief secretary to get the word ‘Samajwadi’ painted on all ambulances.
The state health and family welfare department runs 1,488 ambulances under the 108 and 102 services in public-private partnership (PPP) mode with GVK Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI).
After coming to power in 2012, chief minister Akhilesh Yadav had launched 108 ambulance service on September 12, 2012 and 102 service on January 18, 2014 across the state.
The logo ‘Samajwadi Swasthya Sewa’ was painted on all the ambulances. Opposition political parties --- BJP and BSP -- had also objected to the use of ‘Samajwadi’ on the ambulances.