Jharkhand’s political landscape heated up as Opposition Leader Babulal Marandi targeted the government’s air ambulance subsidy scheme, alleging deep-rooted anomalies. From Ranchi, he pressed for a neutral inquiry amid revelations of operational lapses post a fresh accident.
Central to his critique: a patient with burns exceeding 30% was initially barred from subsidized evacuation to Delhi. The service provider cited dangers but greenlit the trip upon agreeing to inflated charges. Marandi decried this as ‘extortion disguised as policy.’
He sought answers on the subsidy’s burn injury cap. ‘Expert opinions lacking? Inconsistent safety standards?’ If risks are real, he argued, premium pricing can’t override them.
Since its April 2023 rollout, the Rs 10 crore-backed program has failed to scale, Marandi noted, serving only a privileged few. His remedies include FIR filing, company blacklisting on proof of wrongdoing, and transparent fare scrutiny.
Marandi’s intervention spotlights the chasm between promise and delivery in public health. As scrutiny intensifies, the state must prioritize patient welfare over contractor gains.