Cuttack, 27/12:  A Rs 300 crore scam has been alleged while providing 108 ambulance service to the needy patients. This allegation has been made in Orissa High Court demanding a CBI probe into the alleged scam. Meanwhile, the High Court has issued notice to the Central and state government, service provider Ziqitza Health Care Limited, CBI and the chief district medical officers of 30 district headquarter hospitals in the state. The next date of hearing has been fixed on January 21, 2020.

The 108 ambulance service was launched in 2005. This service had started first in 15 districts and 280 ambulances were supplied for the purpose. Subsequently, the service was extended to 15 other districts and 140 more ambulances were provided for this purpose.

Ziqitza Health Care Limited was managing the service. However, the officials of various hospitals, National Rural Health Mission and Ziquitza Health Care Limited had allegedly started scam by submitting fake documents of providing ambulance service. Around RS 3 to 5 lakh was being swindled every month, alleged a petitioner in the High Court demanding a CBI inquiry..

The petitioner also urged  for introduction a standard operating procedure for the national ambulance service, criminal proceedings against the guilty officials and recovery of the looted money from them.