Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 22 August 2025
A delegation of the Andaman & Nicobar ASHA Workers Union, accompanied by Mr. D. Ayyappan, Vice President of CITU A&N State Committee, met the State Programme Officer of the Andaman & Nicobar State Health Mission on Thursday and submitted a charter of demands concerning the welfare of ASHA workers in the Islands.
The Union demanded a significant hike in the honorarium of ASHA workers, pointing out that they currently receive only ₹2,000 as fixed honorarium along with an additional ₹500 top-up from the UT budget. Expressing concern, the delegation highlighted that the recent ₹1,500 increase announced by the Central Government would take effect only from April next year, leaving workers financially strained until then.
The Union further flagged several issues faced by ASHA workers. It objected to the practice of compelling ASHAs to work fixed hours at Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and Community Health Centres (CHCs), stating that such requirements go against the original spirit of the ASHA scheme. They also raised concerns about the absence of TA/DA payments when workers are summoned for meetings or additional duties, forcing them to spend heavily on transport from their own pockets. The Union demanded additional incentives for the extra workload assigned to ASHAs.
Another major grievance brought up was the non-disbursement of incentives to ASHA workers in North & Middle Andaman, despite repeated requests. The Union urged the State Health Mission to issue immediate instructions to District Health Societies and Health Department authorities to clear pending payments.
Responding to the delegation, the State Programme Officer assured the Union of prompt and sympathetic action on the genuine demands raised.
The delegation comprised Ms. Anbumalar, General Secretary, Ms. Sabida Banu, Treasurer, and Ms. Kalimuthu, Member of the A&N ASHA Workers Union.
