My TENTH JOB AS LEAD PARTNER
AND CONSULTANT IN EMRI-2
With Satyam Computers Ramalinga Raju
and CEO Venkat Changavalli
Professions, Checkered Career,
and Lessons-14
Vanam Jwala Narasimha Rao
(September 19, 2026)
EMRI (Emergency Management and
Research Institute) Ambulances were designed keeping in view Patient care,
Public Safety and Attendants comfort. It had the unique features like low
loading height easy to load an automatic loading stretcher, economic fuel
consumption, turbo engine, adequate space for patient compartment, turning
radius most suitable for Indian conditions etc. Its Fabrication with Fiber
Reinforced Plastic (FRP) ensured Thermoregulation, Fire Resistance, Noise
Regulation.
Its space management design
ensured adequate space in patient cabin, safety mechanism with help of
restrains, locking mechanism for all equipment, avoiding sharp edges. Enough
provision was made for waste disposal for bio and non-bio hazardous.
Before my joining EMRI, the Erstwhile
Government of Andhra Pradesh (AP), as part of ‘National Rural Health
Mission-NRHM’ piloted in four districts REHTS (Rural Emergency Health Transport
Services) and 122 ambulances were deployed, with NGOs operating them, from
government funding.
In addition to REHTS, Government
also recognized EMRI, as the State Level Nodal Agency to provide comprehensive
emergency response across the state, in PPP and signed Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) on 2nd April 2005. The MoU defined the roles and
responsibilities of each of them without
any financial commitment from the Government.
Government thought of expanding the Scheme to the
other 18 (Rural) districts.
At the same time almost, EMRI was
planning to expand its services to rural areas, having launched the originally
planned 79 ambulances, and had no clue as to how to advance. Meanwhile I joined
as Lead Partner (PPP) in EMRI. The Commissioner Family Welfare who was to take
a decision about REHTS expansion at that time was a committed IAS Officer CBS
Venkataramana.
The number of ambulances to be
rolled as part of REHTS expansion was 310. I with the support of CEO and
Chairman took up the responsibility of convincing CBS to entrust the ambulances
to EMRI.
Correspondence from either side
eventually resulted, thanks to the proactive role of CBS, the then Chief
Secretary J Harinarayan, and timely counselling of Dr AP Ranga Rao (Who among
few was in the EMRI conceptual team), in the state government deciding to
utilize the services of the EMRI, as the State Level Nodal Agency for
operationalizing the balance of the 310 ambulances under the scheme on mutually
agreed terms and conditions.
Accordingly, the 2nd
MoU with the Government of AP (Erstwhile) was signed on 22nd
September 2006. That was the first Major Step in the future Nationwide
Expansion, and it gave me then an immense satisfaction, and sustained till now.
This was preceded by a unique
Advisory Council Meeting to formalize the contents of MoU, on September 21,
2006, chaired by Chief Secretary J Harinarayan and attended by 12 other senior
most IAS officers representing various departments, and that was the importance
given to the EMRI 108 service then. From EMRI in addition to CEO Venkat, four
others including me attended the meeting.
Subsequently in addition to the
310, the earlier 122 ambulances, through another MoU, the third was signed on
October 5, 2007. Thus, by then including the 70 Ambulances owned by EMRI, the
total number increased to 502. That was unimaginable and formidable then, and
in it I contributed my share.
Friendship and contacts mattered
more than power, notwithstanding the aspect of either convince the person in
authority or get convinced (PR Concept), but do not leave anything half way
through. I still remember how beyond hierarchy, whether I was in the government
or outside, Commissioner CBS Venkataramana and Chief Secretary Harinarayan used
to call me for clarifications before finally approving the MoUs. That was how
bureaucracy looked at easing things then!
Later days another senior IAS
Officer PK Agarwal as Health Principal Secretary also was of the same nature
and with the same kindness. I learnt there a lot from them. What it was only
Rs. 68,700/- per month per ambulance during the financial year 2007-2008, that
the Government would bear, in due course had increased to 95% of actual total
cost, including the expenses for other logistics, leaving the responsibility of
just incurring 5% cost by EMRI.
In all these negotiations I was
actively involved (Sudhakar Nukala too) and but for PK Agarwal nothing would
have taken a final shape.
In due course Government agreed
to provide autonomy and operational freedom to EMRI, another landmark decision
in favor of EMRI. It was also agreed in principle to expand the capacity of
EMRI and a revised MoU was signed on May 5, 2008 and accordingly Government
committed to provide, Rs.1,12,499/-
towards its 95% share per ambulance per month.
I
remember the day long discussions with PK Agarwal in his chambers, prior to
this, deliberating on each and every minute aspect, trying to convincing each
other, and getting convinced, and eventually arriving at the figure. Thus, from
Zero contribution from government, EMRI was able to secures 95% contribution,
and I claim my part of credit.
{{From my Forthcoming Book
PROFESSIONS, CHECKERED CAREER,
AND LESSONS
(From Librarian to CPRO to CM
KCR)
A Journey from Khangi School to Center for Excellence}}
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