ASHA workers demand a monthly remuneration of ₹15,000

Accredited social health activists affiliated to AIUTUC staged a protest outside the Zilla Panchayat CEO’s office in Karwar on Tuesday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) affiliated to the All India United Trade Union Center (AIUTUC) staged a protest outside the Zilla Panchayat CEO’s office in Karwar on Tuesday as part of the nationwide protest week, demanding a minimum monthly salary of ₹15,000 and timely payment of incentives and honorarium.

The protesters also demanded that they not be forced to use mobile phones or digital apps to record their work without adequate equipment and technical support.

AIUTUC Honorary Adviser Gangadhar Badiger said that the state government has increased the honorarium of ASHA workers by only ₹1,500 in the last nine years, while the cost of living has increased considerably. He said incentive payments and honorarium were also delayed for almost a year, causing financial hardship to the workers.

The protesters demanded that the state honorarium and the Centre’s incentives together be fixed at a minimum of ₹15,000 per month.

District Chairperson Padma Chalavadi said ASHA workers were allegedly forced to use the ‘Samasta’ app despite several workers not having mobile phones and facing technical and server problems.

She said digital documentation was adding to the workload of ASHA workers who were required to maintain both physical and digital records. “ASHA workers are not against technology, but they should be provided with adequate facilities and technical support,” she said.

After receiving the memorandum, District Health Officer Sanjay Doddamani assured the protesters that instructions will be issued so that ASHA workers are not forced to use the Samasta app.

Zilla Panchayat Deputy Secretary Allah Baksh said a meeting would be called to discuss further demands of the workers. He directed the health department officials to submit a report on the steps taken to address the issues before the meeting.

Published – 06 Oct 2026 23:11 IST