The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed the state government to ensure that cases like non-payment of salary to Kaniv ‘108’ emergency service network staff do not recur.
The commission said in a directive to the principal secretary (health) that the salary of the ambulance service network staff was delayed because the company that manages the ambulance service chain was not receiving funds from the union and the state. Ultimately, patients’ rights were denied. The government should understand the emergency nature of the services provided by the dispensary network and take strict measures to ensure that the salaries of the employees are not delayed.
The government should also examine the practicality of a request to declare the Kaniv 108 ambulance service a public service and bring it under the Maintenance of Essential Services Act, the commission said.
It was taking action on the basis of a complaint filed by one Aneesh Manian along with reports that a section of the ambulance staff had stopped work due to delay in payment of wages.
The commission’s directive said that the Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd. (KMSCL) did not receive funds from the Union and State Governments to operate the 108 ambulance network till 27 July 2024. As a result, KMSCL owed an amount of ₹ 75.5 crore to the company that operated the ambulances. This resulted in non-payment of salaries to employees.
Published – 10 March 2026 21:45 IST
