Bengaluru: Employees of Karnataka’s 108 Arogya Kavacha ambulance fleet withdrew their proposed strike, which was scheduled to begin Wednesday night, following a meeting with health department officials.Representatives of Suvarna Karnataka Arogya Kavacha (108) Noukarara Sangha met Ritwik Ranjanam Pandey, principal secretary, health, in the afternoon.“When we last met the officials, they hadn’t agreed to any of our demands, which is why we had called for a strike. However, the principal secretary assured us today (Wednesday) that the department will address our issues, following which we withdrew the strike,” said Paramashiva NH, vice-president of the association.Around 3,500 ambulance employees had threatened to go on strike, demanding pay revisions, increments and other benefits. They had warned that 108 ambulance services would be disrupted across the state.“We held a meeting with the representatives and asked them to continue the service. They have their demands, but we will address them based on what can and cannot do,” Pandey told TOI.Health minister UT Khader Tuesday appealed to citizens not to depend on 108 ambulances for two months. Govt plans to introduce a new tender policy, revise regulations and induct new ambulances into the 108 fleet by Dec, the minister had said.
