Minister asks ASHA workers to send cut hair to Delhi
Hyphen Web Desk
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Kerala's Education Minister, V. Sivankutty, has criticised the ongoing protest by Accredited Social Health Activists workers in front of the state secretariat, asserting that such demonstrations should be directed towards the central government in Delhi.
He suggested that the hair cut during the protest be sent to the central government via Kerala's Union ministers as a symbolic gesture.
The protest, which marked its 50th day on Monday, saw ASHA workers intensify their agitation by cutting their hair in front of the secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram. This act was intended to symbolise their frustration over the government's perceived apathy towards their demands for increased honorarium and retirement benefits.
Minister Sivankutty highlighted that the ASHA scheme is primarily a central initiative, with 60% of the incentives funded by the central government and 40% by the state. He pointed out that out of the fixed incentive of ₹3,000 set by the Centre, ₹1,800 is contributed by the central government and ₹1,200 by the state. Additionally, the Kerala government provides an honorarium of ₹7,000 and other incentives, bringing the total monthly remuneration to approximately ₹13,200 for certain ASHA workers.
The minister questioned the motives behind the protest, suggesting that the demonstrators' focus on state contributions, while remaining silent on central incentives, indicates a possible conspiracy. He also noted that the Left Democratic Front government had previously increased the monthly honorarium for ASHA workers from ₹1,000 to ₹7,000, demonstrating its commitment to their welfare.
The protest, which marked its 50th day on Monday, saw ASHA workers intensify their agitation by cutting their hair in front of the secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram. This act was intended to symbolise their frustration over the government's perceived apathy towards their demands for increased honorarium and retirement benefits.
Minister Sivankutty highlighted that the ASHA scheme is primarily a central initiative, with 60% of the incentives funded by the central government and 40% by the state. He pointed out that out of the fixed incentive of ₹3,000 set by the Centre, ₹1,800 is contributed by the central government and ₹1,200 by the state. Additionally, the Kerala government provides an honorarium of ₹7,000 and other incentives, bringing the total monthly remuneration to approximately ₹13,200 for certain ASHA workers.
The minister questioned the motives behind the protest, suggesting that the demonstrators' focus on state contributions, while remaining silent on central incentives, indicates a possible conspiracy. He also noted that the Left Democratic Front government had previously increased the monthly honorarium for ASHA workers from ₹1,000 to ₹7,000, demonstrating its commitment to their welfare.
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