Kaniv-108 ambulance strike: Kerala minister warns staff, cites patient safety
Kerala Health Minister K Muraleedharan on Sunday warned employees and drivers of the Kaniv-108 emergency ambulance service against going on strike over wage-related demands, saying the government would not permit any disruption that could endanger patients.
Speaking to reporters, Muraleedharan said the employees had previously issued a strike notice and that he had intervened shortly after taking charge, following which an agreement was reached. He said repeatedly raising the demands and threatening strike action was not an acceptable approach.
The minister stressed that the 108 ambulance service caters to people in medical distress and critical conditions and, therefore, a strike could not be allowed. He said the government was prepared to take all necessary steps to ensure patients' safety.
Muraleedharan also clarified that the ambulance personnel are not government employees and were appointed by the private agency contracted to operate the service. However, he said the government had already issued strict directions to the agency following the earlier dispute.
On reports that a Congress leader could be appointed Executive Director of the State Health Agency, Muraleedharan rejected allegations that Health Department posts were being distributed to party leaders. He said appointments would be made only on the basis of qualifications and applicable rules.
Asked about appointing a non-IAS officer to the post, he said the government was entitled to take appropriate decisions in certain circumstances, adding that bureaucrats were responsible for implementing government decisions.
Taking a political swipe at the CPI(M), Muraleedharan also criticised its extended state committee meeting to review the party's Assembly election defeat. He claimed the exercise would not correct the party's mistakes and said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was "a blessing for the UDF".
with inputs from PTI
