Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (JS)

Mangaluru, Jan 29: The indefinite strike by employees of Arogya Kavacha 108 ambulance service was unwarranted and the GVK company which manages the ambulances has been asked not to allow the strike affect the public, said health minister U T Khader.

Addressing a press meet at the Circuit House here on Friday January 29, Khader replied to a question on the ambulance drivers' strike and said, "GVK company which manages the Arogya Kavacha ambulances reportedly makes the ambulance employees work for 12 hours but pays salaries only for 8 hours. The employees who have decided to go on strike have demanded that they should be paid for the extra 4 hours of work they put in. In this regard the workers' union had approached me and I had promised them that the additional amount would be released by January 1.

"However, since the chief secretary was on leave, I could pass the order to sanction Rs 6.64 crore only on January 14 and the amount has already been released. In spite of knowing this fact, the ambulance employees' union has gone before the media and threatened to stop the service, thereby creating confusion. We had put forth some conditions to the drivers before sanctioning the amount, that they should be well groomed, they should wear white coats and should not use the ambulances for their personal use. While many of the staff signed these conditions and have already got the amount, some did not agree. So they have not got the cheques and are creating unnecessary confusion," he explained.

"As of now, the ambulance service is not hit, as many of the staff are working and we have made alternative arrangements by deploying KSRTC drivers and government ambulance drivers. The government introduced this service for the people and I have directed the GVK company that this protest should not create any trouble to the public. If this kind of attitude continues, we will take action and appoint new drivers within a month," he asserted.

On Zika virus which is spreading at an alarming rate in the Americas (North America and South America), he said, "Usually the World Health Organization issues a caution on any kind of virus. But as of now, we have not received any caution here in our state or country. This virus mostly affects the pregnant women. If the mosquito bearing the virus bites a pregnent woman, it will affect the child in the womb and result in small heads and brain damage in newborns. Even though it has not been identified in our state, we will take steps by providing repellent oil for free. I request the pregnant women and people in general to be more cautious."

He also urged the public to support the Congress in the upcoming zilla panchayat and taluk panchayat elections.

On being asked whether the controversial Yettinahole project would negatively impact Congress' prospects in the elections, Khader said, "It will be minus to the BJP, as it was the BJP which got the project passed in the Assembly when its leader from this region (D V Sadananda Gowda) was the chief minister. It was passed in the Assembly and cannot be scrapped by any means other than in the Assembly. The opposition leader has to move the adjournment motion in the Assembly and only after discussion can a decision be taken on it. BJP leaders are giving statements on Yettinahole project here but they are not even talking about it in the Assembly."

Floodlit Kambala

Khader also said that a floodlit Jodukere Kambala will be held on February 7 at Panjala in Talapady. "This Kambala is being organised for the the fifth consecutive year by Suryachandra Jodukere Kambala Samiti. It will be inaugurated by Balakrishna Bhat, chief priest of Shree Durgaparameshwari Temple, Talapady on the Febraury 7 at 9 am. The formal function will be held at 5 pm where achievers in Kambala will be honoured. Ministers, MP, MLCs, public representatives and others will be the chief guests," he said.

Ravindra Shetty, president of Suryachandra Jodukere Kambala Samiti, Ganesh Shetty, vice-president, Girish Alva, secretary and others were present.