Mysuru: For smooth and successful conduct of any sporting events, the role of groundsmen is equally important but when comes to care and treatment for them, there is absolutely nothing. Kote Gowda, groundsman who is working at Chamundi Vihar Stadium for the past 35 years on contract basis is facing a lot of problems after he got severely injured six months ago.
The 56-year-old Kote Gowda who almost sacrificed his entire life for Chamundi Vihar Stadium is in a state of bother. On April 16, 2018 in Chamundi Vihar Stadium, he kept his leg on a drainage which was covered. But to his dismay, slipped and Kote Gowda sustained severe injuries. He was immediately rushed to K R Hospital for treatment. After treatment for a day, he was sent home but due to severe bleeding and blockage of urine, the very next day he was rushed to a private hospital in Mysuru for treatment. For one week he was treated by the experts and later discharged. Again he was admitted to the same hospital for two surgeries. Almost for more than a month, he was in the hospital. Kote Gowda’s family members after getting money from private money lenders on interest managed to pay the medical bill which was nearly Rs 1.5 Lakh.
Kote Gowda who gets about Rs 9000 salary per month and is entitled to medical reimbursement received a letter from DYES department that his medical claim could not be processed as he is a contract worker. Kote Gowda is very upset now regarding the repayment of loans he has taken from the private money lenders. The money lenders are pestering him to repay the loan or pay the interest. As if this was not enough, he has received salary since five months. “My family members managed to settle the medical bills only after getting money from private money lenders. I thought my medical bills will be reimbursed but I was totally shocked when I received a letter rejecting my claim”, added Kote Gowda. When DYES Commissioner Shiv Shankar was in Mysuru during the Dasara sports meet, he had assured to get Gowda’s medical bills reimbursed but a few weeks later the letter read contrary.
When this was brought to the notice of K Jyothi, Chief Executive Officer, Zilla Panchayat, she assured to do her best for Kote Gowda. “I will speak to DYES Assistant Director and will see whether it comes under any other schemes which include Chief Minister’s Relief Fund or Labour Welfare Association. I will also speak to the labour officer in this regard and will try to do my level best to provide as much as possible to him” added Jyothi.
K Suresh, Assistant Director, DYES also assured to do his best for Kote Gowda.
