Assembly Proceedings Disrupted Amid Heated Debate on ASHA Workers' Honorarium
Thiruvananthapuram, March 4: Tensions flared in the Kerala Assembly on Tuesday as the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) fiercely protested, accusing the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) government of neglecting the demands of ASHA workers. The opposition's protests disrupted proceedings, prompting Speaker A N Shamseer to rush through pending business and adjourn the House by 11.05 am.Opposition Accuses Government of Unfulfilled Promises
The assembly witnessed chaotic scenes as several UDF MLAs, led by Rahul Mamkootathil, sought an adjournment motion to discuss the demands of ASHA workers, who have been protesting for the past 23 days outside the Secretariat demanding higher wages and post-retirement benefits.Mamkootathil highlighted that the LDF government, in its 2021 election manifesto, had promised ASHA workers a wage of ₹700 per day, but was currently paying slightly above ₹200 per day. He further alleged that ASHA workers, barred from taking up additional work since 2018, have also not received their honorariums for the last three months.
Government Defends Record on ASHA Workers' Support
Responding to these accusations, Kerala Health Minister Veena George argued that the state's ASHA workers receive among the highest honorariums in India, ranging between ₹10,000 and ₹13,500 per month, inclusive of incentives. George further clarified that Kerala contributes 60% of the ASHA workers' remuneration, with the remaining 40% coming from the Centre, which currently owes around ₹98 crore in pending payments.Countering claims made by the opposition regarding Sikkim offering higher pay, Minister George stated that according to official communication, Sikkim pays only ₹6,000 per month, not ₹10,000 as alleged by the opposition.
Opposition Leader Criticises Government, Demands Immediate Action
Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan challenged the minister’s claims, citing Parliamentary responses to assert that Sikkim has increased the honorarium to ₹10,000 per month, and Andhra Pradesh pays ₹7,000. He reminded the House that during the previous UDF government (2011-16), ASHA workers worked just 2-3 hours daily and could take up other employment—something not permissible now.Satheesan also clarified that the ₹98 crore cited by the minister was the state's share pending towards various National Health Mission schemes, emphasizing that the Centre had already disbursed more than ₹800 crore towards these programs.
Speaker’s Action Sparks Further Outrage
The confrontation intensified when Speaker Shamseer interrupted Satheesan’s walkout speech, pointing out that he had exceeded the allotted speaking time of 11 minutes. Angered by this, UDF MLAs marched to the well of the House, accusing the Speaker of acting as an "agent of the ruling front," and held up placards, shouting slogans demanding fairness and respect for opposition rights.As the uproar continued, the Speaker hastily completed the day's scheduled business, including a resolution proposed by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan against the Centre’s plan to permit deep-sea mining off the Kerala coast.
The session was abruptly concluded by 11.05 am amid relentless protests, leaving unresolved tensions simmering between Kerala’s ruling party and the opposition over the contentious ASHA workers' issue.
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