'Incentives to ASHAs in J&K to be increased to Rs 16K per yr'

Centre has approved an increase in the existing incentives to Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) from Rs 10,000 to Rs 16,000 per year in Jammu and Kashmir, the state Assembly was informed today.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has conveyed approval by the Mission Steering Group of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) for revision of rates of existing incentives to ASHAs, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mir Saifullah said.
The minister was replying to a Calling Attention Notice by M Y Tarigami (CPI-M).
The incentives including enhancement of cost norms, training cost, supervision, support cost, cost of job aids, tools, kits and other monetary incentives has been increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 16,000 per ASHA annually, he said.

The minister also informed the Assembly that incentives for some new activities have also been approved enabling each ASHA to earn about Rs 1000 per month.
The requirement of funds, as per the revised cost norm including incentives for new activities, is being projected in the State Programme Implementation Plan of NRHM for the next financial year, he said.
While participating in the discussion, Tarigami demanded immediate increase in various incentives to ASHAs and also raised the issue of regularization of Anganwadi workers.
They are performing a very important job to serve the patients in far flung areas and are a vital link between the community and public health system, the CPI-M MLA said.