Bengaluru, Sep 7 (SocialNews.XYZ) The 108 free ambulance service drivers have given the Karnataka government a 15-day deadline and threatened to collectively resign if their demands are not met. Health and Family Welfare Minister, U.T. Khader, on Monday warned that strict action would be taken if any protest affected patients and asked the drivers to speak to the firm engaged by the government to manage them, in order to address their demands.
It can be noted that the 108 ambulance service (known as Arogya Kavacha) is completely free in Karnataka for medical, trauma, and accident emergencies. Karnataka has a total fleet of around 711 to 715 ambulances under the free 108 Arogya Kavacha network.
The ambulance drivers have demanded several measures, including an annual review of their salaries and hikes, deployment of ambulances in three shifts and scrapping of the zonal-wise salary system. They have sought a uniform salary structure for all drivers.
The drivers have also demanded that the compensation paid to the families of ambulance drivers who die in accidents be increased to Rs 50 lakh. They have sought salary based on seniority and in accordance with Labour Department guidelines.
They have further demanded that salaries be credited within seven days of every month, rest rooms be constructed for ambulance drivers and changes be made to the existing shift system.
The drivers have warned that if the government fails to address their demands within 15 days, they will collectively resign.
Responding to the issue, Khader said the operation and management of the 108 ambulance service was the responsibility of the private company engaged by the government and that the company was responsible for providing vehicles, salaries, training, cleanliness, uniforms and other facilities.
“We will not manage it. The company will provide the vehicles, salary, training, cleanliness, uniform and everything else. If the drivers have any issues, they have to sit with the company and discuss them. They can also bring the matter to our notice,” Khader said.
He said the government would intervene if the company failed to pay the salary that had been promised to the drivers in writing at the time of their appointment.
“If they have been promised a particular salary in writing at the time of appointment and are not being paid that amount, they can inform us,” he said.
Khader maintained that the government had no direct involvement in the company's employment-related matters and said the company would be held accountable for any lapses in providing the contracted services.
He also said the government would not be concerned if the drivers staged a dharna or protest, but warned that any disruption affecting patients would not be tolerated.
“We are not bothered if the drivers sit for a dharna or protest. The company is accountable to us. But if the people and patients are affected, strict action will be initiated,” Khader warned.
Source: IANS
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