Delhi: The Parliamentary Standing Committee has demanded an increase in financial assistance to ASHA workers. Currently, ASHA workers receive financial assistance ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 9,000. The Parliamentary Committee pointed out that this is not even enough for two meals.
The committee points out that the ASHAs are providing a crucial service at the grassroots level. This recommendation was made by the Standing Committee of the Ministry of Health. The financial assistance is not enough for the basic needs and healthcare of ASHAs. ASHAs should also be utilized in the field of health research. The committee also recommends that additional financial assistance be provided for this from the research fund. The recommendation is from the committee headed by Ram Gopal Yadav. The committee has also recommended that AIIMS be allotted to Kerala.
Meanwhile, ASHA workers are intensifying their strike by staging a protest pongala. The protesters are disappointed and dissatisfied that the ASHA issue was not raised in the meeting with the Union Finance Minister and the Chief Minister. The ASHAs demand that the dispute between the Centre and Kerala over the allocation of funds be resolved immediately and the issue resolved. The ASHAs are planning to intensify their strike by announcing a secretariat blockade on Monday.
