Raise ASHA Workers’ Honorarium to ₹15,000, Ensure Job Security: Karnataka MLC Ravi C.T. Writes to CM

Bengaluru: Karnataka Legislative Council member Dr. Ravi C.T. has written to Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, urging the government to increase the monthly honorarium of ASHA workers from ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 and provide them with job security, insurance and other essential benefits.

In a letter dated October 17, Ravi highlighted the crucial role played by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) in rural and urban healthcare, including maternal and child health services, care for pregnant women, vaccination drives, infectious disease control and health awareness campaigns. He also commended their contribution during challenging periods such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

However, he pointed out that rising living costs, heavy workloads and travel expenses were causing hardship for the workers. He urged the government to increase their fixed monthly honorarium and ensure timely payment and revision of incentives linked to various health programmes.

Ravi also called for job security for long-serving workers, health and accident insurance, and a comprehensive retirement policy covering pension and gratuity benefits. He sought reimbursement of travel expenses incurred during home visits and official duties, along with mobile phones and data or credit facilities required to use the ‘Samast’ app. Appropriate training for the application was also among his demands.

Highlighting the difficulties faced by ASHA workers during night shifts while accompanying pregnant women to hospitals for delivery, he urged the government to establish separate rest rooms for them in all hospitals.

The letter further called for reducing redundant documentation and excessive administrative work, and ending the practice of assigning ASHA workers duties unrelated to the Health Department.

Assurance to raise issue in legislature

Earlier, speaking at a felicitation programme for ASHA workers at the DCC Bank hall in Chikkamagaluru, Ravi had promised to press for an increase in their minimum monthly honorarium to ₹15,000 during the upcoming legislative session.

He alleged that the assurance to provide a fixed monthly honorarium of ₹10,000, made during the elections, had not been implemented even after three and a half years. He stressed the need to recognise the workers’ contribution and ensure their financial security and access to essential facilities.