NEW DELHI: Union Minister J P Nadda announced in Rajya Sabha the National Health Mission’s recommendation to increase the financial benefits for ASHA workers. He also said that the arrears have been paid to Kerala in the allocation for ASHA workers. Kerala has not submitted any document showing how the amount provided was spent. Nadda was responding to CPI's P Santosh Kumar.

"The National Health Mission meeting held last week assessed that financial assistance should be increased for the commendable services provided by ASHA workers. Further action will be taken if the relevant permission is obtained. There have been no discrepancies in Kerala’s share of funds, and all dues have been paid. However, Kerala has not yet provided details on the money spent," he said.

Meanwhile, no mention of increase in incentives was found in the replies given by Health Minister Pratap Rao Yadav to Adv. Harris Beeran in the Rajya Sabha and Minister of State for Health Savitri Thakur to Hibi Eden in the Lok Sabha.

Santosh Kumar told the media that Minister Nadda misled the house by stating that the center had paid all dues to Kerala. Santosh Kumar said that in reality, the center government still owed Kerala Rs 600 crore. A notice will be issued for violation of rights.