Latest news with #MiniS
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Govt sanctions 3-mth honorarium advance, ASHAs say it is routine
T'puram: State govt sanctioned a three-month honorarium as an advance for ASHAs for the months of June, July and August. The money will be used to pay the honorarium of the health workers attached to National Health Mission (NHM). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Govt allotted funds for three months, though the NHM asked for a six-month advance. The share will be used to pay for the essential work and the duties assigned to ASHAs. Mini S, leader of ASHAs, said the sanctioning of the funds is a routine administrative exercise and is not in any way connected to the agitation. There is no hint from state govt that the honorarium was increased. "State govt always sanctions funds and it is used to pay the honorarium of the workers. Though the money is sanctioned in advance, it will take more clearances and time for it to reach the hands of the women," she said. The workers are continuing their protest in front of the secretariat, demanding an increase in honorarium and pension benefits. They are piqued that they were given a lot of additional duties by the NHM without increasing the pay.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Kerala govt forms panel amid ASHA protest
Thiruvananthapuram: The state govt has appointed a five-member committee, headed by women and child development department director Haritha V Kumar, to examine the issues raised by protesting ASHA workers and study their demands. The committee, announced nearly a month after the govt first proposed the idea during discussions with the workers, has been given three months to submit its report. ASHA workers, who operate under the Union govt's National Health Mission , have been protesting in front of the state secretariat for over 100 days. They are demanding an increase in their monthly honorarium, along with a fixed service term and pension benefits. During talks held on April 3, the state govt informed protest leaders that a committee would be set up to study their demands and urged them to call off the strike. However, the workers rejected the offer and continued the protest. They viewed the committee proposal as a delay tactic and were frustrated by the lack of clarity on critical issues. Initially, the state govt claimed it lacked the financial resources to meet the workers' demands to increase the honorarium from Rs 7,000 to Rs 10,000 and suggested that the Centre should increase its share of the honorarium. As the strike continued past 50 days, the govt held another round of talks in April, involving trade union leaders. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cara Membantu Orang Terkasih Menghadapi Limfoma Limfoma Pelajari Undo These efforts failed, and workers accused union representatives of trying to pressure them into accepting the committee. Mini S, a leader of the ASHA workers, said, "We will give our opinion to the committee if approached, but we maintain that a committee is not required to accept our demands." She added that the govt has not paid them for the past three months and only formed the committee as it had informed the high court that it will set up one. The next court hearing is scheduled for June.
