Kerala Assembly: ASHAs’ protest sparks uproar in House; UDF slams govt’s handling

Kerala Assembly debates ASHAs' remuneration, with Opposition UDF accusing government of mishandling protests and denying adjournment motion.

The issue of the agitation by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) for adequate remuneration and the government’s manner of handling the protests rocked the Kerala Assembly on Tuesday (March 4) with the Opposition UDF raising the same as an adjournment motion.

Heated war of words ensued between UDF MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, who presented the adjournment motion, and Health Minister Veena George. Mr. Mamkootathil said the CPI(M) and the CITU who were “supposed to protect workers’ rights were trying their best to derail” the agitation of ASHAs for fair wages.

“If the Centre was not giving the State its share of funds, why did the government hike the salary and travel allowance of its special envoy, K.V. Thomas, who has failed to lobby with the Centre and secure the State its due?” he asked.

Ms. George reiterated her argument that Kerala was paying the highest honorarium to ASHAs and that nearly 90% of the ASHAs earned an income between ₹10,000-₹13,000 a month out of which, ₹9,400 was the State’s contribution.

She claimed that of the 26,125 ASHAs, 729 were people’s representatives at various levels, and 1,230 were engaged in the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Generation Scheme (MGNREG) alongside their work. She said that while the Centre was withdrawing from its obligation towards ASHAs, it was the State government which was ensuring their welfare.

Following this, Speaker A.N. Shamseer denied leave for the adjournment motion. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, who rose to give his walk-out speech, was continuously disrupted by the members of the ruling front.

Mr. Satheesan said that “the long list of figures” presented by Ms. George to justify the government stand regarding ASHAs’ strike was “cleverly manipulated” and that it was the total funds for the National Health Mission (and not specifically the incentive of ASHAs) which was shared in the 60-40 ratio by Centre and the State. He said that out of the ₹913 crore that the Centre had to give the State in 2024-25, ₹813 crore was released on January 25.