Hry hikes incentives for ASHA workers, move to put additional burden of Rs 104 cr on state exchequer

The Haryana government has made substantial increase in the comprehensive incentive package for Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers, which will result in an additional burden of Rs 104 crore per annum on the state exchequer.

The earlier liability was Rs 57 crore and this will increase to Rs 161 crore after the enhancement, Haryana's Health Minister Anil Vij said here today.

Asserting that guidelines related to ASHA workers' incentives has been issued to all civil surgeons, he said all ASHA workers, who had launched indefinite stir in support of their various demands, including hike in incentives, should resume their duties with immediate effect, so that they can provide health services to the public, especially to pregnant women and children.

"Haryana will give highest rate of incentives to ASHA workers. Their monthly fixed honorarium has been increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 4000. The revised provision for facilitating institutional deliveries of pregnant women belonging to general category would be Rs 300 per case as against existing provision of Rs 200 per case.

"Additional 50 per cent incentive of monthly earnings under National Health Mission would be continued according to the existing norms," the minister said.

The state government has also enhanced incentives for five major activities of ASHA workers, Vij said.

"In the cases of institutional delivery under Jananai Suraksha Yojna (JSY) for rural areas, the incentive has been increased from Rs 300 to Rs 400, and for urban areas from Rs 200 to Rs 300. Similarly, incentive for routine immunization of children has been increased from Rs 150 to Rs 250 and for ante natal care check up of pregnant women from Rs 250 to Rs 350," he said.

Other monetary and non-monetary benefits have also been approved by the state government, Vij said, adding an ex gratia grant to the tune of Rs 3 lakh would be given to the family of deceased ASHA worker from State Plan Budget with effect from April 1.