More incentives for ASHA workers likely

Lucknow: With elections round the corner, the UP government has decided to plug loopholes which could in turn impact the BJP’s poll prospects. Thus, the Yogi government is working on an idea of increasing incentives to ASHA (accredited social health activist) workers.
Besides, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed officials to begin a process to bring contractual and ad-hoc workers in government departments under the ambit of Ayushman scheme.The CM is also believed to have directed the officials to ensure real time monitoring of the ongoing projects to ensure first-hand information at the level of the Chief Minister Office.
The UP government in the supplementary budget had announced an honorarium of Rs 500 per month for the unskilled workers. Similarly, the government had also made budgetary provision to increase the honorarium of the shiksha mitras and anudeshaks, etc.
A real-time monitor is likely to be installed at the CM office soon which helps the office to know the progress of ongoing projects.
The ASHA workers, who are in a good number and can impact the polls, have been demanding an increase in incentives and permanent jobs. On November 11, a delegation of ASHA workers met Congress general secretary and UP in-charge Priyanka Vadra. After the meeting, Priyanka had announced an honorarium of Rs 10,000 per month if Congress comes to power in UP after elections.
As of now, ASHA workers get around Rs 3,500 to Rs 3,700 as per activities per month. Sources said how much the increase will be is still not finalised, but the officials have been directed by the CM to draft a proposal to ensure an increase in the incentives of ASHA workers.
There are around two lakh ASHA workers in Uttar Pradesh. The directives were given by the CM at a review meeting held on Wednesday morning. Sources said that unlike any other day when Team-9 meetings were held with a few major department heads, officials from other departments concerned also attended the Wednesday meeting.