Karnataka government to take over 108 emergency services by February 2026
Bengaluru: The Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department is set to take full control of the 108 ambulance services by February 2026, with plans to conduct tests to recruit Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) deployed in the ambulances, Deccan Herald reported on Tuesday.
The EMTs, who accompany patients during transit, play a crucial role in providing first-aid and emergency care before hospitalisation. “This is to test their capability, it is important that these technicians are able to provide the necessary services under pressure,” DH quoted Health and Family Welfare Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao as saying.
Rao added that this was the first time in the country such an initiative was being implemented and assured that there would be no compromise in the delivery of emergency medical services.
To strengthen the fleet, the department will procure 175 new ambulances through the Road Safety Authority. The new vehicles are expected to replace older ones, many of which were procured in 2018 and have reported frequent breakdowns.
The upgraded ambulances will be equipped with Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs), a tablet device that assist technicians and drivers in locating patients and the nearest hospitals. The MDTs will also integrate the service with e-Sanjeevini, the national telemedicine platform, allowing doctors to guide EMTs in real time and enabling hospitals to prepare for incoming patients.
“To bring in more efficiency, the ambulance nearby will be allocated to the patient and immediately be taken to the nearest hospital. Currently, we have geo-tagged all the government hospitals in the software, we are awaiting details from Karnataka Private Medical Establishment to geo-tag private hospitals as well,” DH quoted Dr Prabhudev Gowda, Deputy Director, Emergency Management and Research Institute, as saying.
A pilot project of the system in Chamarajanagar district has reportedly shown encouraging results. “We are able to dispatch ambulances without any glitches or delays,” Gowda added.
For fleet management, the department plans to appoint separate agencies in each district to outsource ambulance drivers and ensure transparency.
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DSP’s red hair earns criticism, Odisha Police asks him to maintain decorum
Bhubaneswar (PTI): Odisha Police has found itself in a spot after some of its personnel, including senior officers, were criticised on social media for sporting coloured and unconventional hairstyles.
The latest incident was reported from Jagatsinghpur district, where a DSP-rank officer was trolled online for his red-coloured hair, putting the police administration in an awkward position, a senior officer said.
The officer, identified as Rashmi Ranjan Das, saw his hairstyle go viral on social media, drawing criticism from several quarters.
Some users termed the look "unprofessional", while others questioned whether such an appearance befitted a uniformed officer, alleging it undermined the authority and seriousness associated with the khaki.
"After finding the DSP being trolled on social media, I have instructed the Jagatsinghpur SP to tell the officer to maintain decorum and keep his hairstyle decent, befitting a man in uniform," Inspector General of Police (Central Range) Satyajit Naik told PTI.
Naik, however, said the police department has not yet issued any circular or order in this regard.
"We have told the officer to maintain decency. Everything cannot go by written orders. From constables to senior officers, everyone in the police service should respect the uniform and give utmost priority to decency," he said.
Another senior police officer said women police personnel across the country, including Odisha, are also seen colouring their hair in shades such as coffee, chocolate, ash, auburn, caramel and golden.
"One cannot issue an order to keep hair black always. There are people who have natural brown hair. This apart, greying is also a natural phenomenon. What can be done in these cases? Therefore, no order can be issued with regard to hair colour," the officer said, adding that it depends on individual police officers.
A woman police officer in the city, who has coloured her hair ash, said no law or rule prohibits such choices.
"We are in the police and perform our duties responsibly. People should not comment on a person’s hairstyle. We welcome criticism if we commit mistakes, but colouring hair is not a crime," she said.
A retired IPS officer said that while the police manual does not explicitly prescribe hairstyles, personnel are expected to maintain the image of a security force.
"Creating a controversy over a non-issue serves no purpose," another serving officer remarked.
