Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru (MS)
Bengaluru, Jun 3: It seems that the frontline warriors who are working 24x7 since the onset of coronavirus pandemic are only for namesake. There is no one to hear the woes of the 108 ambulance employees. They have not received salary for the past two months.
When GVK Foundation, which looks after the supervision of 108 ambulance staff, was approached for clarifications, it says that it is the issue of the state government. Health department says that it is the issue of GVK organization.
GVK is a non-profit organization. It works in partnership with the government in 16 states and two Union Territories of the country. Gunapati Venkata Krishna Reddy of Hyderabad origin is the CEO of this company. This company gets finance from the state government. But now the organization says that the state government has delayed the release of funds and the organization is not in a position to pay the salaries of the 108 ambulance staff.
Salary pertaining to the months of March, April and May was pending. March salary was paid a week ago. Two months’ salary is still pending. There are 711 ambulances of 108 manned by around 3,000 workers. In Bengaluru alone there are 100 ambulances with 500 staff working.
Speaking to the scribes, vice president of 108 employees’ association said, “Salary of three months was not paid by the company. Because of the pressure exerted salary of March was paid a week ago. The maintenance of 108 ambulance is disastrous. Medical kits are not available. Vehicles are not sanitized properly. First aid box is not available. Staff does not have proper PPE kit to wear while handling patients. In addition, GVK organization, which is supervising the operation is involved in corruption.”
So far 10 personnel of 108 ambulance service have died due to coronavirus infection. Only one person has got a compensation of Rs 30 lac. Rest nine people have not received a single penny. Both GVK and state government are accusing each other. It is high time that the frontline warriors of 108 should be given their dues by the government.