A high-level delegation of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) met Shri Pratap Rao Jadhav, Honourable Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare and AYUSH, urging immediate and high-priority action to resolve the pressing issues faced by ASHA workers in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
The delegation highlighted several long-standing grievances, including the absence of TA/DA for official meetings or additional work, non-payment of uniform allowances and telephone reimbursements, and increasing instances of undue pressure and mental harassment. ASHA workers are being compelled to work fixed hours in PHCs/CHCs while also being told to remain available round-the-clock – a clear violation of the scheme’s norms.
It was also pointed out that, until March 2025, the Andaman & Nicobar Administration provided an additional 500 as a Union Territory share, in addition to the 2,000 monthly honorarium. This UT share has been discontinued since April 2025, resulting in a reduction of ASHA workers’ monthly income to just 2,000.
The BMS delegation strongly demanded a grant of a Remote Location Allowance of 2,000 per month, considering the difficult geography and unique working conditions of the Islands; enhance the monthly Honorarium as per the changing prices in the Island; Immediate end to mental harassment, with ASHA duties restricted strictly to those defined under the scheme; Clearance of all pending TA/DA payments across the three districts; timely provision of uniforms and raincoats; and effective implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana in the Islands.
The delegation was led by Shri B. Surendran, All-India Organising Secretary, BMS, along with Shri S. Mallesham, All-India Vice President, and Shri Ganesh Mishra, All-India Deputy Organising Secretary.
The Honourable Minister responded positively, acknowledging that ASHA workers in the Islands deserve special consideration due to their smaller population base and exceptional working conditions. He assured the delegation that he would take up the matter with the concerned authorities and initiate necessary action at the earliest.
