Nagpur: School van and ambulance owners have accused the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) of holding back their dues since they were roped in July, just when the city witnessed the peak of Covid-19.
The NMC had enrolled 10 private ambulances for round the clock service in each of its 10 zones. Later, 25 school vans were also converted into ambulances with the permission of Regional Transport Office (RTO). These were hired at a flat rate of Rs1,600 per day including fuel, drivers pay and other services. Each van had two drivers in two shifts.
Hemant (name changed), one of the owners, said he had attached his ambulance on July 28. “Mine was among the first 10 vans to be attached from July 28. On August 26, a testing camp was held in the zone for all. Unfortunately, I tested positive. I was sent in quarantine at MLA Hostel. When I returned, I came to know that my ambulance was de-boarded without any explanation and my dues were held back,” he said.
Like many others, Hemant had submitted a bill of around Rs50,000 for his services over a period of 30 days. Till date, the dues remain to be cleared. “All sorts of reason like money is yet to be received by the zone, bill is yet to be cleared and what not are given to us. Last Monday, I met the officials again. They said that now we will be paid after the NMC budget,” he said.
While Hemant’s dues are fairly meagre, there are some to whom the NMC owes several lakhs.
Another owner Ramesh (name changed) said he and his family are facing a lot of problems in daily sustenance. “I live on rent. How do I explain to my landlord. We have borrowed a lot of money. Already, the income was down and the pending dues are making it more difficult,” he said, adding that his bill is worth over Rs5lakh.
Municipal commissioner Radhakrishnan B told TOI that he will look into the issue. “They will be paid,” he said.