UDF, LDF clash over ASHA’s benefits in Kochi corporation council

Kochi: Kochi corporation council witnessed a din on Wednesday over a resolution demanding a hike in the benefits given to Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs).
The resolution by the opposition UDF called for the corporation to use its own funds to increase the honorarium for ASHAs. The ruling party LDF alleged that the attempt was politically motivated. Mayor M Anilkumar rejected the opposition's call for passing the resolution as the govt has already decided to consider the demand for a hike in the honorarium of ASHAs. Though the opposition demanded voting on the issue, the mayor turned down the demand.
The mayor stated that the Union govt should increase the benefits for ASHAs and recognise them as employees. He questioned why UDF was not speaking against the Centre.
When CPM councillor R Ratheesh termed ASHA workers as activists, BJP councillor Padmaja Menon raised an objection, terming it insulting to them. But Ratheesh said the expansion of ASHA is accredited social health activists and there is nothing wrong in calling them activists.
The LDF members talked about the responsibilities and duties of the Union govt regarding ASHAs. The honorarium, which was Rs 500 during the UDF rule, was increased to 1,000 by the end of their term. The LDF govt gradually raised it further, and currently, the honorarium stands at 7,000 rupees. This is a central govt scheme, but the Centre's approach is to provide only 60% of the incentive amount, with a year's backlog remaining. Kerala offers the highest honorarium for ASHAs compared to BJP and Congress-ruled states, LDF members said.