THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala alleged that the government concealed the disqualification of GVK EMRI before awarding it the Kaniv 108 ambulance service contract.

Chennithala released documents showing that the company had been debarred for two years in Karnataka for submitting fake papers in an ambulance service tender and was also removed from service in Meghalaya.

As per tender rules, any firm barred by a government is not eligible to participate. Complaints had already reached the Medical Services Corporation, stating that the company was ineligible, but it hid key details and misled officials. The ban is effective from November 21, 2023, to November 21, 2025. In August 2022, the Meghalaya government had ended the company’s 108 ambulance operations, citing lapses. A similar contract was cancelled in Rajasthan in 2010. Yet, in the documents submitted for this tender, the company swore that no legal action or ban was pending against it, which was a violation. Despite complaints, no action was taken.

Chennithala added that although the original five-year contract expired in March 2024, the government illegally extended it for another one and a half years without calling for a fresh tender.

Violation of central law

Chennithala also pointed out that awarding the Kaniv 108 ambulance project to EMRI Green Health Services violated the central financial rules, which require disclosure of any bans or violations within the last three years.

He said four companies had taken part in the tender this time, and one was disqualified. The tender documents were reviewed by the private consultancy Grand Thornton.

Chennithala alleged that the Medical Services Corporation not only failed to conduct a proper inquiry into the matter but also appeared to be helping the company, which raises serious concerns.