The ongoing protest by Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers in Kerala has entered its 25th day as workers continue to demand a hike in honorarium and post-retirement benefits. The demonstration, taking place in front of the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, has escalated into a political flashpoint, with both the State and Central governments blaming each other over the allocation of funds.
The Union government maintains that it has not neglected Kerala in disbursing funds for the ASHA scheme, stating that the state is set to receive Rs 636 crore from the National Health Mission (NHM) for 2023-24, including incentives for ASHA workers, as per a report on Kaumudi. However, the Kerala government has contested this claim, accusing the Centre of not addressing the state’s specific needs.
Political Parties Weigh In
The Kerala unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has extended its support to the protesting workers with Mahila Morcha, BJP’s women’s wing, staging a solidarity march to the Secretariat on Tuesday. BJP state president K Surendran dismissed allegations against the Centre, stating, “It is the state government’s failure and not the Centre’s,” he contended, reported PTI.
Several senior BJP leaders, including Shobha Surendran and PK Krishnadas, also joined the protest, calling for the state government to take responsibility. Meanwhile, Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) leaders, including Ramesh Chennithala and PK Kunhalikutty, visited the site and criticised the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government for allegedly ignoring the workers’ concerns.
Protest Intensifies Ahead Of Int’l Women’s Day
ASHA workers have vowed to escalate their agitation, announcing a statewide call for women to join them on March 8, International Women’s Day. The workers have made it clear that they hold both the Centre and State governments accountable.
“They both are equally responsible and have to sit together and work out a solution. Our issue is that we cannot survive by working for Rs 232 per day. Right now we can say this to the state government only. When we get time, we will tell the Centre also,” one of the protesting Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers told reporters, as per PTI.
They also said that the state government should take the initiative since they work under them.
