Gadchiroli, During the Corona period, the employees working as ambulance contract drivers in the health department, who became corona warriors to transport patients from rural and inaccessible areas to the hospital, have received information about not getting salary for the last 17 months. Due to which the drivers have faced starvation.
It is being told that under the National Rural Health Department, in the health department of the Zilla Parishad, contract employees are working as ambulance drivers on meager honorarium. But due to non-receipt of salary for the last 17 months, the employees are facing financial crisis. Due to which the health department is paying serious attention to this and the demand for paying salaries to the contract workers and drivers is gaining momentum.
The role of the employees serving as Corona warriors during the Corona period is considered important in the Health Department. At the same time, these employees were also felicitated during the Corona period. But to save lives by providing vehicles on time to many people, the drivers have to work without pay. In such a situation, due to non-payment of salary for the last 17 months, it has become difficult for these employees to bear the expenses of their family. Due to which there is a demand for immediate salary.
A total of 48 ambulances are available under the primary health centers of twelve tehsils of the district, as many drivers are employed in these ambulances. Vehicle drivers have been appointed by the private operators in the contract element. At the same time, these employees are given meager honorarium. Despite this, these employees are playing an important role in the health department. But on the other hand, there is a strong displeasure among the employees due to the health department not taking any action in paying the arrears of salary to these employees.
District Health Officer Dr. D.S. Salve said that funds have been received to pay salaries to ambulance drivers working under Primary Health Center. Employees have also played an important role, especially during the Corona period. According to the rules of the government, salary will be given to 22 employees during this period from September 2021 to March 2022. The said amount will be given to the concerned organization in 8 days. The balance salary of the remaining employees will be done in three months. He said such a thing.