The Uttar Pradesh government has covered the word "Samajwadi" written on 1,488 state-run ambulances under its 'Samajwadi Swasthya Seva' initiative as per the directive of the Election Commission.
The poll watchdog had directed UP chief secretary Rahul Bhatnagar to cover up the word Samajwadi (socialist) painted on ambulances run by the state health and family welfare department, state Additional Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) P K Pandey said adding that a decision in this regard was taken following a complaint.
"The ECI has instructed the CEO office to ensure the implementation of its order. So far, 'Samajwadi' word written on 1,488 ambulances have been covered," he said.
The commission had issued a similar order before the 2012 Assembly election, asking the state government to cover statues of elephants in Dalit memorials and parks. Bahujan Samaj Party, which ruled the state in 2012, has elephant as its electoral symbol.
'Samajwadi Swasthya Sewa', the free-of-cost and round-the-clock emergency ambulance service, was launched in the state by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav.
The logo ‘Samajwadi Swasthya Sewa’(Socialist health service) was painted on all the ambulances. Opposition Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and BSP had objected over the use of Samajwadi on government ambulances.
On receiving a call on toll-free number 108, an ambulance reaches the patient within 20 minutes and the patient is provided medical aid before being shifted to a hospital, under the initiative.
The logo ‘Samajwadi Swasthya Sewa’(Socialist health service) was painted on all the ambulance services. The opposition political parties- BJP and BSP -- had objected over the use of Samajwadi on government ambulances.
