Row in Kozhikode Corporation council over selection of ASHA workers

CPI(M) nominees favoured, alleges opposition

Opposition councillors in the Kozhikode Corporation expressed their displeasure over the selection of ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers for various wards in the Corporation, at the council meeting on Friday.

The civic body needs 103 ASHA workers. However, the District Programme Manager of Arogya Keralam has permitted it to appoint only 50 workers in the first phase. The final list of 50 ASHA workers was prepared after interviewing 196 candidates. It was approved by the health standing committee before being presented before the council.

Opposition councillors alleged that a majority of selected candidates were either CPI(M) loyalists or spouses of party activists. Several councillors complained that more qualified candidates whom they had hand-picked were rejected in favour of party nominees. “I even met a candidate who is a regular tax payer and attended the interview for fun,” said Nadakkavu councillor Alphonsa Mathew. Panniyankara councillor K. Nirmala said councillors had no say in the matter unless they belonged to the ruling front.