'Arogya Kavacha' staff go on stir in Chikmagalur

The employees boycotted their duty as a part of the State-wide protest demanding various government facilities for them. The protest was staged outside Mallegowda Government hospital after parking the 108 ambulances outside DC’s office.

Deputy Commissioner Dr N S Chennappa Gowda and District Health and Family Welfare Officer accepted the memorandum from the protesters, which has 13 demands kept forth by the ambulance drivers and EMT personnel.

The employees said that the drivers and personnel are getting an honourarium of Rs 4,700, which is not enough for them to lead a decent life. They said that they are made to work for 12 hours a day, which should be cut down to 8 hours. They further said that Government should itself manage the ambulances and not outsource the management to private parties.

Withdrawal of suspension of some employees, deputation of employees in their native place, compensation to one of the employees who died on duty, boarding facilities for drivers and IMT staff, hike in salary and travel allowance, insurance facilities etc were some of the other demands.