Sri Vijaya Puram, Aug 21: A delegation of Andaman & Nicobar ASHA Workers Union along with D. Ayyappan, Vice President, CITU A & N State Committee today (21.8.2025) met the State Programme Officer of Andaman & Nicobar State Health Mission and discussed various issues relating to the ASHA Workers. The delegation demanded that the honorarium of the ASHA Workers should be increased considerably as, at present, the ASHA Workers are getting a fixed honorarium of Rs. 2000 plus top up additional honorarium of Rs. 500 from the UT budget. The delegation of ASHA Workers expressed concern over the fact that the increase of Rs. 1500 announced by the central government recently in the fixed honorarium of ASHA Workers will be effective only from April next year.
The delegation of ASHA Workers Union also brought to the notice of the State Programme Officer various problems confronted by the ASHA Workers. ASHA Workers are compelled to perform duty for a fixed time at the PHCs/ CHSs which is against the spirit of the Scheme of ASHA Workers. The Union further brought to the notice of the State Programme Officer that no TA/DA is paid to the ASHA Workers by the Health Department whenever called for any meeting or additional work. The ASHA workers are required to spend a good amount of money every month as bus fare/auto fare for attending their work. The Union demanded that additional incentives should be granted for the additional work extracted through the ASHA Workers. The delegation further brought to the notice of the State Health Mission that incentives for various works performed by the ASHA Workers of North & Middle Andaman District are not being disbursed to them despite repeated requests. The Union urged the SPM to issue necessary instructions in this regard to all concerned officials of District Health Societies and Health Department authorities. The State Programme Officer was kind enough to assure the Union of immediate action on the genuine demands raised by the ASHA Workers Union.
The delegation of A & N ASHA Workers Union comprised of Anbumalar, General Secretary, Sabida Banu, Treasurer and Smt Kalimuthu, Member.