ASHA workers' protest: Kerala govt, Centre locked in blame game over fund allotment

Thiruvananthapuram: The month-long indefinite stir by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA workers) in Kerala has snowballed into a major political row with the BJP government at the Centre and the CPI(M) government in state accusing each other.

While Union Health Minister J P Nadda informed the Parliament that no amount for ASHA workers were due from the Centre and also accused the state government of failing to give the utilisation reports, state health minister Veena George reiterates the state's version that Rs 637 crore is still due from the Centre. The amount was withheld over the co-branding issue. But even after the utilization reports were submitted, the amount was not paid, she said.

Though there were speculations that the issue would figure at the meeting between Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Delhi on Wednesday, the Chief Minister's office said that no specific matters were discussed.

The BJP is trying to take political advantage of the stir with Union minister of state for tourism and BJP MP from Kerala Suresh Gopi visiting the ASHA workers on stir and highlighting Nadda's announcement that the incentives for ASHA workers would be hiked.

A delegation of MPs of the Congress-led United Democratic Front called on the finance minister on Wednesday and urged that any dues to the state on account of incentives to ASHA workers should be released and also demanded the incentives to ASHA workers should be increased.

Meanwhile, the resentment within the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front over the stubborn stand of the Left part towards the stir.

The primary demand of protesting ASHA workers is an increase of their monthly remuneration to Rs 21,000, which is an assurance given in the LDF's election manifesto. At present, the maximum earning of ASHA workers, including incentives, is Rs 13,000. Retirement benefit of Rs 5 lakh, timely payment of remuneration without dues and other basic benefits are the other demands they raise.

The CPI(M) leadership's stand towards the stir by the independent forum of ASHA workers (Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association) is believed to be due to pressure from the CITU-backed forum of ASHA workers (ASHA Workers Federation).

The federation had earlier staged a stir raising these issues. However, it was called off following assurances from the state government. Thereafter, the independent forum launched the indefinite stir demanding the implementation of their demands rather than assurances. The stir by the independent forum had also gained much support. It has irked the CITU-backed forum and hence, the CPI(M) is believed to be taking a stubborn stand against the ongoing stir.