Kerala's Health Minister Engages with Union Counterpart Nadda as Asha Workers Persist in Protests
Click to start listening
Synopsis
On the 51st day of Asha workers' protests in Kerala, Health Minister Veena George met Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda in Delhi. The meeting aimed to address the workers' demands for increased honorarium and incentives. However, Asha workers expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome and vowed to continue their protests.
Key Takeaways
- Meeting between Veena George and J.P. Nadda aimed at addressing Asha workers' demands.
- Asha workers are fighting for an honorarium increase from Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000.
- Protests have been ongoing for 51 days at the Kerala state Secretariat.
- INTUC has joined the protests, indicating broader support.
- Conciliation talks are promised within three days.
New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, April 1 (NationPress) On the 51st day of the ongoing protests led by the Asha workers outside the Kerala state Secretariat, state Health Minister Veena George finally engaged with Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda in Delhi on Tuesday.
After the meeting, George informed the media that the discussion was productive.
"I presented the demands of the protesting Asha workers, and he listened attentively. The Centre contributes 60% towards the incentive, while the state contributes 40% of the total Rs 3,000. The complete honorarium of Rs 7,000 is provided by the state. We are urging for an increase in the incentive, and the Minister mentioned that the Centre is taking this matter seriously," she stated.
George also noted, "There is a financial balance that Kerala is due for fiscal 2023-24, but we were informed that it has lapsed due to issues with rebranding, as the Asha scheme is federally governed. The Union Minister assured he would investigate this matter as well," she added.
This meeting garnered significant attention, particularly after George had previously informed the protesting Asha workers that she would be traveling to Delhi to meet Nadda.
However, upon her arrival in Delhi, she was unable to secure an appointment. It later emerged that she was actually in the city to meet a visiting Cuban delegation, which sparked controversy among the protesters who felt misled.
In response to George's remarks following her meeting with Nadda, the Asha workers expressed disappointment, stating there was no constructive outcome from the discussions.
"It is well-known that the Centre's contribution is limited to the incentive, while the honorarium is entirely state-funded. We have been advocating for an increase in that amount. Therefore, this meeting has effectively fallen short. Our protests will continue," a protester declared.
On Monday, the protest took a dramatic turn as all participating workers demonstrated their dissatisfaction by cutting their hair.
The Asha workers are advocating for an enhancement of their honorarium from Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000 monthly, along with a one-time benefit of Rs 5 lakh upon reaching retirement at age 62.
On Tuesday, the Congress-affiliated labor union INTUC announced its support for the protests.
In the meantime, George mentioned that INTUC leaders have expressed a willingness to engage in new conciliation talks. "I informed them that discussions would take place within three days," she said.
