Muraleedharan Urges Vijayan Government to Dismiss Falsehoods and Resolve Asha Workers' Strike
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Synopsis
On March 5, V. Muraleedharan, former Union Minister of State, criticized the Pinarayi Vijayan government for spreading misinformation about Central funds and called for an end to the ongoing Asha workers' protest, which has lasted 24 days, demanding higher honorarium and retirement benefits.
Key Takeaways
- V. Muraleedharan demands an end to Asha workers' strike.
- He accuses the Vijayan government of spreading lies about funding.
- Asha workers seek honorarium increase and retirement benefits.
- Protest has lasted for 24 days outside the State Secretariat.
- Muraleedharan challenges CPI-M to prove funding claims.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 5 (NationPress) Former Union Minister of State and prominent BJP figure V. Muraleedharan urged the Pinarayi Vijayan administration to "stop spreading falsehoods" regarding the absence of Central funds and to conclude the ongoing strike by over 26,000 Asha workers.
The demonstration by Asha workers outside the State Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, advocating for increased honorarium and retirement benefits, has now reached its 24th day.
"Rather than attributing blame to the Centre with misleading claims of insufficient funds under the National Health Mission (NHM), the Kerala government must take decisive actions to resolve the dispute," stated Muraleedharan.
"In Parliament, the Centre confirmed that the full allocation of funds designated for NHM in Kerala has been disbursed. Out of Rs 914.24 crore, Rs 815.73 crore was transferred prior to January 29, and the remaining amount was settled on February 12. If this information is inaccurate, the CPI-M should file a privilege notice in Parliament," he added.
"Another false narrative propagated by the Vijayan government and Health Minister Veena George suggests that the Centre impeded the utilization of funds for 2023-24, which is entirely untrue. The funds were forfeited because Kerala failed to adhere to the Centre's directives and delayed the branding process. The state did not submit the utilization certificate as mandated," remarked Muraleedharan.
"George should publicly disclose the percentage of NHM funds allocated by Kerala for Asha workers' incentives," he insisted.
The Asha workers are advocating for an increase in their monthly honorarium from Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000, along with retirement benefits and overdue payments.
On Wednesday, Gomathy, who previously led a successful protest of plantation workers in Idukki district that resulted in the acceptance of most demands by then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in 2015, arrived to show her support for the Asha workers and criticized the CPI-M for its treatment of female protesters.
There was hope that with the commencement of the four-day CPI-M state party conference in Kollam on Thursday, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who has yet to engage with the protesters, might step in to resolve the ongoing strike, but this did not occur.
