Raju's CallHealth set to take off?

HYDERABAD: Is the Ramalinga Raju-supported CallHealth Services Pvt Ltd, ready for takeoff ? Industry sources seem to suggest so. In fact, according to them, this recently floated medical service provider believed to be put together by Raju's sons, Rama and Teja Raju -is likely to `hit the streets' (well, literally) within two months from now and bring to Hyderabad a fleet of two and threewheeler ambulances.

The Raju family's jail term, they maintain, is unlikely to affect the launch of this fresh venture, which clearly appears to be an offshoot of the Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI). That, again, was Raju's brainchild.

As was reported in these columns earlier, CallHealth, according to official records, was registered in November 2013.While the names of the three Rajus (father and sons) were conspicuously missing from the management team of the company, sources confirmed that the project took shape in the Raju stable. Reason: the concept of the firm and presence of former EMRI bosses.One such name was that of Sudhakar Nukala, who served as chief operating officer, EMRI South. Nukala is currently designated as COO of CallHealth.

“Turns out, the company has already opened three offices in the city. While one branch is operating out of the Byrraju Foundation premises in Jeedimetla village (it's the philanthropic arm of erstwhile Satyam Computers), the two others have been set up in Filmnagar and Jubilee Hills respectively,“ said a senior medical practitioner from the city adding, “Of course, they are keeping low profile now, but as far as my knowledge goes, it is ready to make an official launch soon.“

In fact, sources claimed that a steady cash flow of Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 crore has been stream ing into the coffers of the firm every month, to support the salaries of its 100odd employees. The money, they hint, is being sourced from Bhimaravam ­ the ancestral place of the Raju clan, located in Andhra Pradesh's West Godavari district.

“Whatever be the fate of the scam, the entire village still has faith in the Rajus. The clan is going all out to support the family,“ said an individual close to the clan, from Medchal. He added, “They have huge tracks of land in the city outskirts. It could be possibly that these assets are being used to fund the medical project.“ While no confirmation could be sort on the matter, some claimed that a bunch of apartments in Medchal's Rama Raju Nagar, earmarked for EMRI employees in the past, might now be used to house CallHealth staffers. “The family still has in its possession, a bunch of units in these complexes. So, we wouldn't be surprised if they are using it as accommodation for their employees,“ said a local from the colony.