Congress demands audit of ₹948 crore paid for 108 ambulance services in MP
Synopsis
Madhya Pradesh Congress has flagged ₹948 crore in ambulance service payments as potentially fraudulent — pointing to missing patient records, cross-state unregistered vehicles, and ambulances allegedly logging 500-600 km per trip. With the Lokayukta already seeking a government response by 25 November, the pressure on the BJP-led state administration is building.
Key Takeaways
Madhya Pradesh Congress demanded an independent audit of ₹948 crore paid to Jai Ambe Emergency Service for 108 ambulance and Janani Express services.
The Lokayukta's office has directed state health officials to submit a factual report by 25 November .
Ambulance records from Dindori and Shahdol districts allegedly lack patient details while logging kilometres for billing purposes.
Ambulances in Vidisha district allegedly logged 500–600 km per trip, raising billing verification concerns.
Vehicles with Chhattisgarh registration numbers are allegedly operating in Madhya Pradesh without verified permissions.
An earlier Lokayukta notice dated 5 June reportedly went unresponded to within the stipulated deadline.
The Madhya Pradesh Congress on Tuesday, 13 October demanded an independent audit of approximately ₹948 crore paid to the operator of the 108 ambulance and Janani Express emergency services, alleging irregularities in kilometre-based billing, vehicle registration, and compliance with contractual obligations. The demand came as the Lokayukta's office has already sought a factual report from the state government following a party complaint.
Lokayukta Involvement
A complaint filed by the Congress party's RTI Department President Puneet Tandon — accompanied by an affidavit — prompted the Lokayukta's office to direct the Principal Secretary of the Public Health and Medical Education Department and the Mission Director of the National Health Mission (NHM) to submit a factual report by 25 November, according to documents cited by the party. Notably, a prior Lokayukta communication dated 5 June had sought a similar report, which reportedly went unsubmitted within the stipulated period.
Key Allegations Against the Operator
State Congress Media Department Chairman Mukesh Nayak told reporters in Bhopal that the complaint targets Jai Ambe Emergency Service, which allegedly received around ₹948 crore under the contract up to 2024. The party has demanded scrutiny of payments, bills, contractual conditions, and tax compliance.
A central concern involves ambulance records from Dindori and Shahdol districts, which allegedly lack patient names, mobile numbers, and caller identities, while recording kilometres travelled. Since payments are linked to distance covered, the Congress has called for verification of ambulance logbooks, GPS records, patient journeys, and billing figures.
The complaint also flags ambulances in Vidisha district allegedly clocking 500 to 600 kilometres per trip, and calls for cross-verification of these figures against official records.
Cross-State Registration and Labour Law Concerns
The Congress has further alleged that vehicles bearing Chhattisgarh registration numbers are operating inside Madhya Pradesh, and has sought verification of their registration status, tax payments, and operating permissions. The party has also called for an inquiry into alleged labour law violations, including salary disbursements and duty conditions for ambulance staff.
What the Congress Demands
'The public has the right to know how money allocated for emergency healthcare services has been spent. The entire system must be transparent, and accountability must be fixed wherever irregularities are established,' Nayak said at the press conference.
Tandon added that the allegations warranted an impartial examination and that the government should disclose relevant records to establish whether the service provider had complied with the rules and contractual terms. With the Lokayukta deadline of 25 November approaching, how the state government responds to the fact-finding directive will likely determine whether the matter escalates into a formal inquiry.
Point of View
And the alleged gaps — missing patient records, cross-state unregistered vehicles, kilometre logs without journey verification — are exactly the kind of systemic weaknesses that routine audits should have caught far earlier. The Lokayukta's involvement lends the complaint institutional weight, but the missed June deadline for a government response suggests the state is not rushing to engage. Emergency ambulance services are a lifeline for rural and tribal populations; if kilometre-based billing has been inflated, the real cost is not just financial but lives that may not have been served. The BJP-led government's response to the 25 November deadline will be the clearest signal of whether accountability follows or this becomes another complaint that fades in the files.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Madhya Pradesh Congress's demand regarding the 108 ambulance service?
The Madhya Pradesh Congress has demanded an independent audit of approximately ₹948 crore paid to Jai Ambe Emergency Service, the operator of the 108 ambulance and Janani Express services, alleging irregularities in kilometre-based billing, vehicle registration, and contractual compliance.
What role is the Lokayukta playing in this matter?
Following a complaint filed by Congress RTI Department President Puneet Tandon with an affidavit, the Lokayukta's office has directed the Principal Secretary of the Public Health and Medical Education Department and the NHM Mission Director to submit a factual report by 25 November. An earlier directive from 5 June reportedly went unheeded.
What specific billing irregularities has the Congress alleged?
The party alleges that ambulance records from Dindori and Shahdol districts lack patient names, mobile numbers, and caller details, while still recording kilometres for billing. In Vidisha district, ambulances allegedly logged 500–600 km per trip, which the Congress says requires cross-verification against GPS and logbook records.
Why are Chhattisgarh-registered vehicles a concern in this case?
The Congress has alleged that ambulances bearing Chhattisgarh registration numbers are operating within Madhya Pradesh, and has sought verification of their registration, tax payments, and operating permissions, suggesting potential regulatory violations.
Who are the key figures involved in raising these allegations?
State Congress Media Department Chairman Mukesh Nayak addressed the press conference in Bhopal, while RTI Department President Puneet Tandon filed the original complaint with the Lokayukta. Both have called for an impartial government inquiry and public disclosure of relevant records.
