Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday inaugurated the 108 ambulance service to provide instant facilities in the town and inaccessible village areas.
In the first phase, eight well-equipped ambulances were put into service at a grand function organised by the district administration at PHD ground. Finance Minister Prasanna Acharya and Health & Family Welfare Minister Dr Damodar Rout were present. Patnaik said that after the coastal districts, the people of Sambalpur would also avail the benefit of such services now onwards and many valuable lives could be saved. “After introduction of 108 ambulance services in the State, eye-catching positive changes in the health indicators have been marked,” said Patnaik.
He also talked about improved drainage system at a cost of Rs 500 crore in collaboration with Jaica, conversion of Sambalpur Municipality to Municipal Corporation, introduction of city bus facilities and modern bus terminus among others. “The priority of my Government is good governance and good service,” Patnaik reiterated. Talking about farmers, he said that 50 lakh farmers and their families would be benefitted from the health insurance schemes for them. The Chief Minister, on this occasion, handed over cheques to the youth organisations and women SHGs as revolving funds for income generating activities.
Health Minister Rout who was present in the meeting said that 30, 000 people of the State had so far availed the benefit of the 108 ambulance service all over the State. Dr Rout also didn’t miss the chance to attack Congress saying flattering can’t make any nation or society strong. District BJD president cum the chairmen of the lift irrigation Corporation Rohit Pujari criticizing the Congress said that it was too difficult a task to compensate 65 years negligence. “However, Odisha will be number a developed State very shortly,” he boasted. As precautionary measures, the police detained a few Congress and BJP workers before the meeting.