Pending dues, incentive cuts trigger ASHA workers’ protest in Mysuru

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ASHA workers staging a protest in Mysuru on Wednesday. | Photo Credit: M.A. Sriram

Members of the Karnataka State United ASHA Workers’ Association (AIUTUC), Mysuru district unit, staged a demonstration in Mysuru on Wednesday, pressing for the fulfilment of various long-pending demands and raising concerns over delayed payments, reduced incentives and increasing workload.

Submitting a memorandum to the Chief Executive Officer of the Zilla Panchayat, the association said Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) have been facing financial difficulties due to the non-payment of honorariums and incentives for several months. According to the protestors, incentives from the Central government for two months and State government honorariums for two months are yet to be released.

The association also expressed concern over the Health and Family Welfare Department’s decision to deactivate nine services in the ASHA Nidhi software. It alleged that the move could reduce monthly incentives by as much as ₹1,000 per worker. The workers urged the government to continue these services.

The memorandum highlighted delays in payments under several health programmes, including tuberculosis (TB), TBI and non-communicable disease (NCD) initiatives. The association further objected to what it described as excessive performance evaluations and the growing burden of digital data-entry work.

Among other demands, the workers sought retirement benefits for retired ASHA workers and called for a grievance redressal meeting involving union representatives to discuss and resolve their concerns.

The association also urged the State government to implement the Chief Minister’s January 2025 announcement guaranteeing a minimum monthly remuneration of ₹10,000 through a combination of Central incentives and State honorarium. Additionally, it demanded a ₹1,000 increase in honorarium for all ASHA workers, on par with the hike provided to Anganwadi and mid-day meal workers.