Tripura CM Manik Saha eyes honorarium hike for 7,866 ASHA workers
Synopsis
For the first time in nine years, Tripura held a state-level ASHA convention — and CM Manik Saha used the platform to signal a long-overdue honorarium hike for 7,866 frontline health workers. The move spotlights a workforce that has quietly powered India's grassroots health system since 2005, often for compensation that lags their workload.
Key Takeaways
Tripura CM Manik Saha announced on 15 May that the state is considering an honorarium hike for ASHA workers .
The state-level ASHA convention at Hapania, Agartala was held after a gap of nine years — the last was in 2017 .
Tripura currently has 7,866 ASHA workers ; welfare measures including advanced training are also under consideration.
CM Saha holds the Health and Family Welfare portfolio in addition to the Chief Minister's office.
ASHA workers have been integral to the National Health Mission since its launch in 2005 , covering immunisation, maternal health, and community awareness.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Friday, 15 May announced that the state government is actively considering an increase in the honorarium for Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers, describing them as the backbone of doorstep healthcare delivery across the state. The announcement came at the state-level ASHA convention held at the International Fair and Exhibition Ground, Hapania, in Agartala.
Key Developments at the Convention
The convention, organised after a gap of nearly nine years — the last such event was held in 2017 — brought together ASHA workers from across Tripura. Chief Minister Saha, who also holds the Health and Family Welfare portfolio, inaugurated the event and addressed the gathering. Health Department Secretary Kiran Gitte and other senior health officials were also present.
Saha confirmed that the government is considering enhancement of honorarium, advanced training opportunities, and other welfare measures for the 7,866 ASHA workers currently serving in the state.
What the Chief Minister Said
'People look upon you as a ray of hope, and that is exactly the responsibility you are fulfilling,' Saha told the assembled workers. He praised their tireless service across both urban and rural areas, noting their central role since the launch of the National Health Mission in 2005 in bringing healthcare awareness and services to the grassroots level.
'From spreading public awareness to safeguarding maternal and child health and ensuring the successful implementation of vaccination programmes, ASHA workers have been serving with dedication and sincerity in every sphere. Our government is committed to protecting the rights and dignity of ASHA workers,' he added.
Women's Empowerment Angle
The Chief Minister framed the convention as a strong example of women's empowerment, noting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently prioritised the issue. Saha referenced the Constitutional Amendment Bill providing women 33 per cent reservation rights, passed in 2023, as a landmark step. He also noted that women constitute nearly 50 per cent of India's population.
Separately, Saha said that on Thursday he distributed approximately 850 appointment offers to postgraduate teachers who secured jobs through the Teachers' Recruitment Board Tripura (TRBT), citing it as evidence that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government has delivered employment without public agitation.
Impact on Citizens and What Comes Next
ASHA workers serve as the first point of contact between communities and the public health system, handling everything from immunisation drives to maternal care referrals. A formal honorarium revision — if announced — would directly benefit all 7,866 workers in the state. The government has not yet specified a timeline or quantum for the proposed hike. Observers will watch for a formal order in the coming weeks as the state signals its commitment to strengthening community health infrastructure.
Point of View
But 'actively considering' is not a commitment. ASHA workers nationally have repeatedly agitated for better pay and formal employment status, and state-level gestures without a notified revision risk being read as convention-day optics. The real test will be whether Tripura issues a formal government order with a specific revised figure — and when.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Tripura CM Manik Saha announce for ASHA workers?
Chief Minister Manik Saha announced on 15 May 2025 that the Tripura government is actively considering an increase in the honorarium for ASHA workers, along with advanced training and other welfare measures. The announcement was made at the state-level ASHA convention in Agartala.
How many ASHA workers are there in Tripura?
There are currently 7,866 ASHA workers serving across Tripura, covering both urban and rural areas. They are the primary link between communities and the state's public health system.
When was the last ASHA convention held in Tripura?
The previous state-level ASHA convention was held in 2017, making the 15 May 2025 event the first such gathering in nearly nine years.
What role do ASHA workers play in Tripura's healthcare system?
ASHA workers are responsible for doorstep delivery of health services, spreading public awareness, safeguarding maternal and child health, and implementing vaccination programmes. They have been central to the National Health Mission since its launch in 2005.
Has the honorarium hike been formally approved?
No formal order has been issued yet. Chief Minister Saha indicated the government is 'actively considering' the enhancement but did not specify a timeline or the revised amount. A formal announcement is awaited.
