• Source:JND
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Kerala Health Minister Veena George on Tuesday stated that Union Health Minister JP Nadda assured her that the central government is considering increasing incentives for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) workers. Veena George said Nadda listened to the concerns of ASHA workers and the Kerala government’s demand to enhance their incentives and bring them under labour laws.

Speaking to reporters in Delhi after her meeting with the union health minister, Veena George conveyed that the union minister asked her to inform the protesting workers that they are part of a central scheme and their concerns are under review. She further stated that if the Centre increases incentives, the Kerala government will automatically follow suit.

The statement came after a section of ASHA workers had been protesting outside the Secretariat in Kerala for 51 days, demanding post-retirement benefits and an increase in their honorarium. On Monday, the agitation escalated, with several workers cutting their hair or shaving their heads as a symbolic protest against the state government’s alleged indifference to their demands. 

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Apart from the ASHA worker issues, JP Nadda praised Kerala’s efforts to eliminate tuberculosis (TB) and assured that the state would soon receive an AIIMS under a special scheme. 

George also raised the matter of pending National Health Mission (NHM) funds for 2023-24, to which Nadda responded that the issue would be addressed. Additionally, he assured that the Centre would examine Kerala’s request to establish medical colleges in Kasaragod and Wayanad.

Meanwhile, following George’s press briefing, Kerala ASHA Health Workers Union general secretary M A Bindu dismissed the assurance as lacking new commitments. She stated that the union minister did not specifically address their demands. The Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) has also extended moral support to the protesting ASHA workers, urging the state government to engage in discussions and resolve their issues.

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However, Kerala Excise Minister M B Rajesh alleged that the protest was politically motivated, accusing its leaders of misleading ASHA workers and intentionally prolonging the agitation. He questioned why the protestors were only blaming the state government and not the Centre, implying a political agenda behind the demonstrations.