Honorarium and incentives to Asha workers
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENT OF
HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4764
TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2025
HONORARIUM AND INCENTIVES TO ASHA WORKERS
Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government proposes to increase the honorarium and incentive to ASHA workers, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(b) whether the Government has taken note that ASHA workers in Kerala are on strike due to delay in disbursement of honorarium and incentives, if so, the details thereof along with the action taken thereon;
(c) whether any amount/funds for honorarium and incentives for ASHA workers in Kerala is due from the Union Government, if so, the details of arrears thereof and action taken thereon;
(d) the details regarding the prevailing rate of honorarium, incentives, gratuity and other welfare schemes of ASHA workers in the country, State/UT-wise; and
(e) whether the Government proposes to appoint a committee for conducting study for comprehensive revival of honorarium/wages of ASHA workers, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)
(a) to (e) : The primary responsibility of strengthening public healthcare system, including support for ASHA workers lies with the respective State/UT Governments. Under National Health Mission (NHM), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides the technical and financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen their public healthcare system, based on the requirements posted by States/UTs in their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) and within the overall resource envelope.
ASHAs receive a fixed monthly incentive of Rs. 2000 per month in the country, for routine and recurring activities. Additionally, they are provided performance-based incentives for a varied set of activities under various National Health Programmes. The incentive structure for the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) have been revised regularly with the timely addition of incentives to align with the programmatic requirements and priorities. The details of ASHA incentives are available on the following Uniform Resources Locator (URL): https://nhm.gov.in/New-Update-2023-24/ASHA/Orders_and_guidelines/ASHA-INCENTIVES.pdf
Further, States/UTs have also been given flexibility to provide additional incentives to ASHA workers.
After the launch of Ayushman Arogya Mandir, ASHAs are eligible additionally for Team Based Incentives (TBIs) along with ANMs based on monitored performance indicators (up to 1000 per month). ASHAs are also entitled to non-monetary incentives like – ASHA Uniform, Identity Card, Cycle, Mobile, CUG Sim, ASHA Diary, Drug Kit, ASHA rest room etc. The Government has also approved a cash award of ₹20,000/- and a citation to ASHAs who leave the programme after working as ASHAs for minimum of 10 years, as acknowledgement of their contribution.
In the year 2018, the ASHA benefit package was introduced acknowledging significant contribution and commitment of ASHAs. The package provides coverage for:
- Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Beema Yojana (PMJJBY) with a benefit Rs. 2.00 Lakh in case of death of the insured (annual premium contributed by GOI).
- Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Beema Yojana (PMSBY) with a benefit of Rs.2.00 lakh for accidental death or permanent disability; Rs. 1.00 lakh for partial disability (annual premium contributed by GOI).
In addition, Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan Dhan (PM-SYM) with pension benefit of ₹3,000/- pm after age of 60 years (50% contribution of premium by GOI and 50% by beneficiaries) is also available for ASHA workers. ASHAs across the States/UTs have been enrolled in all the above-mentioned Social Security Schemes as per the defined eligibility norms.
Also, a health care annual coverage of ₹5 Lakhs under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB- PMJAY) has been extended to all ASHAs workers.
As per the information received from the State Government of Kerala, few ASHAs are on Strike with the demands for increasing state specific incentives from Rs. 7000/- to Rs. 21000/-, clearance of ASHA honorarium and incentives pending for three months (November, 2024 to January, 2025) Cancelling / withdrawal / Freezing of the existing state Government Order fixing ASHA’s exit age at 62 years, sanctioning of Rs.5 Lakhs for ASHA exiting at appropriate exit age and Relaxation in the exiting work load. Several mediation meetings led by Hon’ble Minister of HFW, Govt. of Kerala and Mission Director (NHM) have been convened and incentives due from November, 2024 to February, 2025 have been cleared.
Under National Health Mission (NHM), funds are released to States/UTs under flexible pools on a lump sum basis to provide greater flexibility to States to utilize the funds as per their felt need and priorities, hence no separate funds are released to the States/UTs for ASHA Activities.
The central release under National Health Mission (NHM) for FY-2024-25 to the State of Kerala is Rs. 1350.67 crores. (as on 26.03.2025.)
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