Dikhyaa Mohanty 
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik approved the provision of a Special Allowance out of State fund for Ambulance staff on Thursday, taking into account the representations made by the crew members and acknowledging the emergency service provided by the 108 Ambulance crew on a 24×7 basis, especially during pandemic/disaster situations. The Special Allowance will be given to drivers and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) at a rate of Rs 5,000 per month, and to helpers at a rate of Rs 3,000 per month starting in February 2024. This will be on top of their current base pay (based on the relevant minimum wage rate).
The Emergency Medical Ambulance Service has been giving the people of Odisha a vital lifeline since March 2013. The 108 Ambulance Service is now in operation and has a fleet of 1,366 ambulances, including 411 ALS ambulances and 6 boat ambulances. Every month, the 108 Ambulance fleet provides emergency care and transportation to about 1.3 lakh people. The driver, an EMT, and an assistant make up the 108 Ambulance team, and together they work very hard during demanding business hours.
The extraordinary services rendered by them during natural calamities, accidents and the Covid pandemic are a testament to their dedication, and this has also been acknowledged by the government from time to time. Presently the Driver, Helper and EMT of the 108 Ambulances are paid basic salary as per the Minimum Wages Act. The Driver and EMT are classified as skilled workers and the helper as unskilled workers for minimum wages.
Recently, the Ambulance crew had submitted representations to Chairman 5T and Nabin Odisha V K Pandian during his district visits, for an increase in remuneration, taking into account their difficult working hours and the emergency nature of work.
