THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Minister Veena George said that the Finance Department has allocated Rs 52.85 crore and has paid the entire amount, including the arrears till January, to the ASHA workers. This reached the ASHA workers' accounts by yesterday. A section of ASHA workers went on strike due to a misunderstanding. The ASHA scheme is a central scheme. However, some have misled the ASHA workers that it is the state government that should increase the wages.

The government's stance is to provide more benefits to ASHA workers. However, this cannot be done by the state government alone. The central government should allocate the funds. The center does not even consider ASHA workers as workers. The state demands that the central government take an appropriate decision on the wage issue. The center has been informed of this in writing. The minister also said that the government's stance is to intervene to resolve the employment problems of ASHA workers.

89% receives upto Rs 13,000

The minister said that the central government is due Rs 100 crore in incentives for ASHAs in 2023-24. The first and second Pinarayi Vijayan governments ensured better wages. The honorarium is Rs 7,000. ASHAs are getting up to Rs 13,500 including incentives. Of this, Rs 9,000 is borne by the state government. Out of the total 26,125 ASHAs, 21,960 (89.01%) earned wages up to Rs 13,000 in January. 963 people received more than Rs 13,000. 1673 people received between Rs 7,000 and 10,000.

Honorarium in other states:

Telangana........................6750

West Bengal..................................5250

Karnataka.................................5000

Madhya Pradesh.................................4000

Maharashtra................................. 3500

Gujarat.................................. 2500

Punjab..................................2500

Rajasthan..................................1650

Uttar Pradesh.................................1500

Punjab..................................2500

Haryana..................................6100

Andhra Pradesh.................................1000

Bihar.................................1000

Odisha..................................1000

(Said by the Minister at the press conference)