Asha workers to get Rs 10,000 to buy umbrella, shoe, cycle: CM

  Bhubaneswar:  Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced that accredited social health activists (Asha) workers will get Rs 10,000 to buy an umbrella, shoe, cycle, almirah and torchlight.

This will benefit about 47,000 Asha workers in both rural and urban areas of the state.

The Asha workers get a monthly remuneration of Rs 2000 per month.

The Asha workers will receive the honorarium amount under Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) after completing at least 10 years of service or on retirement at the age of 62.

The announcement was made as Odisha has registered a sharp decline in Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) in the past decade.

The chief minister lauded the contribution of the Asha workers and said: "I am delighted that Odisha registered a sharp decline in IMR and MMR and improvement in other health-related issues."

The chief minister said the state government had addressed some of the grievances of the Asha workers and hoped that they will work with more dedication.

The Asha workers are demanding a monthly remuneration of Rs 18,000, regularisation of their service, pension, provident fund and gratuity.