Archive · 22 Sep 2026
Karnataka 108 Ambulance Staff Threaten Shutdown Over Pay Demands
Workers who operate Karnataka’s free 108 ambulance service say their pay and work schedules need to change.
They have given the government until September 22 to address their demands.
They warned that they may resign in large numbers and stop the service indefinitely.
BJP leader R. Ashoka said this could make it harder for people to get emergency medical help.
He criticised Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Health Minister U.T. Khader.
Ashoka said repeated meetings had not solved the problem.
He also linked the dispute to the government’s contract with GVK.
He urged the government to act quickly so the ambulance service does not stop.
The Karnataka 108 Arogya Kavacha ambulance staff association has demanded salary revisions and changes to daily duty schedules.
The association set a 15-day deadline ending September 22 and warned of mass resignations and an indefinite service shutdown.
BJP Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka accused the state government of negligence and administrative failure.
Ashoka criticised Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and Health Minister U.T. Khader for failing to resolve the employees’ concerns.
Ashoka said the government’s contractual dispute with GVK could disrupt the free emergency ambulance service used across Karnataka.
- Who
- Staff of Karnataka’s 108 Arogya Kavacha ambulance service, the staff association, BJP leader R. Ashoka, and state government officials.
- What
- Ambulance staff have threatened mass resignations and an indefinite shutdown unless salary and duty-schedule demands are addressed.
- When
- The association’s 15-day deadline ends on September 22; it warned action could begin that night if demands remain unmet.
- Where
- Karnataka, with the report datelined Bengaluru.
- Why
- Workers are seeking salary revisions and changes to their daily duty schedules.
- Service
- 108 Arogya Kavacha free ambulance service
- State
- Karnataka
- Deadline
- September 22
- Threatened action
- Mass resignations and an indefinite service shutdown
- Main demands
- Salary revisions and changes to daily duty schedules
- Political critic
- R. Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly
- Contract dispute mentioned
- GVK