Karnataka   

Staff of Scodwes stage dharna for salary

Karwar: Employees of Scodwes, a non-governmental organisation, which operates mobile clinics in Sirsi, Yellapur, Mundgod, and Siddapur taluks of Uttara Kannada district staged a dharna in front of the office of the district health officer (DHO) here on Saturday seeking salary for the past six months.

Harassed

The employees alleged that they were being harassed by Shivanna Reddy, DHO, for silly reasons. They threatened to stop their service if their salary was not released at the earliest.

But the officials of the Health Department refused to consider to the demands of the employees of Scodwes and said that the NGO had no qualified persons to treat people.

Madhav Naik, president of the Janashakthi Vedike, Rama Naik, president of Karwar taluk Kannada Sahitya Parishat, and Venkatesh Naik of Scodwes said that the DHO deliberately created problems for Scodwes. They said that despite submitting documents to the DHO, he refused to release funds towards the salary of workers.

Mobile clinic

Mr. Venkatesh Naik said that the mobile clinic facility was being provided to people in remote villages of the district. The documents were clear and the organisation had provided all information sought by the DHO. He said various government agencies and World Bank officials who had visited Scodwes had appreciated its work. When the protesters threatened to block the road, Dr. Reddy arrived at the spot and denied that he was harassing the employees. He said that the organisation lacked qualified persons to treat people. Dr. Reddy said that as per the direction of the government, he had sought certificates related to educational qualification of the employees, especially doctors and nurses.

Reminders

Despite his repeated reminders, the organisation did not submit the certificates. If the certificates and documents were submitted to him he would release funds, Dr. Reddy said.

When Dr. Reddy refused to consider their demands, the employees staged a dharna. Later, the assistant executive officer of the zilla panchayat pacified them to withdraw their protest. They withdrew their protest when the officer promised that their bills would be cleared by Monday.

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