A delegation of the Manav Adhikar Suraksha Manch, a local philanthropic organisation fighting for the protection of human rights, led by its coordinator Abani Kumar Gaya, submitted a memorandum to the District Collector through the Sub-Collector of Berhampur on Monday demanding compulsory observance of both the birth and death anniversary of freedom fighter and social reformer Pandit Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das in all educational institutions and Government Offices in the State.
The memorandum also demanded, among other things, the re-introduction 108 ambulance health service under the Gopalpur NAC and its neighbouring Panchayats which was withdrawn by the District Health administration two months after the service was launched.
While the Government on one hand is spending money from the State exchequer in advertising the much hyped 108 ambulance service in the State, on the other hand, the existing health service, introduced two months back, for Gopalpur and its adjoining areas was withdrawn, causing serious inconvenience to the public, the memorandum alleged.
The delegation alleged that the 108 ambulance service introduced for Gopalpur has been diverted to some other place due to ineffectiveness of our local elected representatives and lack of will power of the State Government and local administration.
It may be noted here that more than 1.5 lakh population of Gopalpur NAC, including Buxipalli, Narayanpur, Karapalli, Golabandh, Kamalapur, Pathara, Rangailunda and Dura Panchayats were depending on 108 ambulance service, but the Government has deliberately withdrawn the service by leaving the needy in the lurch, they alleged.
Among others, Manch president Upendranath Mishra, general secretary Maguni Nahak, Prasanta Kumar Das and a galaxy of other youth leaders joined the delegation. The Sub-Collector received the memorandum and assured to look into the matter.