PNS | DEHRADUN
Rajya Sabha MP and the Bharatiya Janata Part State president Mahendra Bhatt brought the issue of wage hikes for the State’s Asha workers to the forefront in the parliament. During the budget session, he said that several State governments provide annual incentives to Asha workers but Uttarakhand remains the only State where they receive Rs 5,000 annually.
He highlighted this critical matter in the Zero Hour discussion in the Lok Sabha, drawing the House’s attention to the functioning of the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) and the indispensable role of Asha workers in it. Bhatt urged the ctentral government to include Asha workers under the Minimum Wages Act. He said that Asha workers play a crucial role in raising awareness about health and social determinants in both rural and urban populations.
He stated that these workers are instrumental in delivering maternal and child healthcare services along with various other health related activities. Expressing concern over their wages, Bhatt criticised the fact that despite their significant contributions, Asha workers are still deprived of a minimum wage. He said that they receive only Rs 4,500 per month as an incentive, which is disproportionately low considering their responsibilities. He appealed to the government to recognise and honour the contributions of Asha workers in the healthcare sector.
