It was Left govt that raised ASHA workers' honorarium to Rs 7000, will increase it further: Minister Veena George

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The honorarium for ASHA workers will be increased further, Health Minister Veena George announced in the Legislative Assembly. She highlighted that it was the Left government that raised the honorarium from Rs 1,000 to Rs 7,000 and reaffirmed the government's empathetic stance toward ASHA workers. The minister made these statements in response to an adjournment motion notice presented by Rahul Mamkootathil, emphasizing that ASHA workers are being socially recognized and supported.

Rahul Mamkootathil, while presenting the motion, pointed out that ASHA workers are being paid only Rs 232 per day in a state where the minimum wage is Rs 700. "The LDF manifesto had promised to increase the honorarium to Rs 21,000. If increasing the honorarium is the responsibility of the central government, then why did Elamaram Kareem bring a submission to the Assembly demanding a Rs 10,000 salary?" he asked.

"The Chief Minister refuses to acknowledge public protests. While the government claims it cannot afford to pay ASHA workers Rs 700 per day, it has no difficulty in providing a salary of Rs 3.25 lakh to PSC members. The PSC Chairman receives Rs 14,538 per day, while members are paid Rs 13,541 per day," he added.

Minister Veena George clarified that Kerala provides the highest wages for ASHA workers in the country. "89.98% of ASHA workers in the state are earning between Rs 10,000 and Rs 13,000 per month. Last year, while the budget allocation for ASHA workers was Rs 181 crore, the government spent Rs 211 crore. ASHA workers can continue working under the employment guarantee scheme, where 1,230 workers are currently engaged," she said.