AnyTV News Asha workers will get 7000 additional monthly allowance, the Gram Panchayat of this state announced

Image Source: PTI
ASHA worker (file photo)

A local body in Kottayam district on Monday announced an additional monthly allowance of Rs 7,000 to ASHA workers in Kottayam district amid protests on 46 days of protests by ASHA workers in Kerala. Mutholi Gram Panchayat has decided to provide an additional amount of Rs 7,000 to ASHA workers.

Panchayat included in the budget

The announcement was made in the annual budget of 2025-26 of the Panchayat, which was passed on Monday. Opposition of ASHA workers outside the secretariat in the state capital has recently intensified with the onset of indefinite mass hunger strike. Last week, it was decided to start a hunger strike after negotiations with the state government failed. Ranjitji Meenabhavan, president of Mutholi Gram Panchayat, said, “At this time, we have allocated Rs 12 lakh in the budget specifically for ASHA workers, which will ensure an additional amount of Rs 84,000 per worker annually.”

There are 13 ASHA workers in the panchayat, all of which will get additional Rs 7,000 per month in addition to their current honorarium and encouragement.

Priyanka Gandhi supported

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi of Wayanad has also reacted to the demand and protest of ASHA workers. He said, “The complaints of ASHA workers are very relevant and I think the time has come that the central government should consider them and they should be kept on regular salary.”

What is the demand of ASHA workers?

Significantly, the Social Health Worker (Asha) recognized social health worker (Asha) in Kerala is constantly protesting against the government for paying honorarium, increment and other demands. Hundreds of ASHA workers have been protesting outside the Secretariat since 10 February, seeking to increase the benefits and their honorarium from Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000 after retirement. (With language inputs)