Thiruvananthapuram: A fiery debate erupted in the Kerala Assembly as the opposition UDF slammed the government’s handling of the ongoing protest by ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers. The issue was raised through an adjournment motion by Congress MLA Rahul Mamkootathil, sparking a heated exchange between him and Health Minister Veena George.
Mamkootathil accused the ruling LDF of failing to address ASHA workers’ grievances, pointing out that many had not received their honorarium for the past three months. He criticized the government for not fulfilling its manifesto promise of a ₹7,000 minimum wage and condemned the police for forcibly removing tarpaulin sheets set up by protesters to shield themselves from rain. “This is not just neglect; it’s suppression,” he declared.
In defense, Health Minister Veena George asserted that Kerala offers the highest remuneration for ASHA workers in the country. She highlighted that 89.98% of ASHA workers receive between ₹10,000 and ₹13,000 per month, with ₹9,400 funded by the state government. She also emphasized the government’s commitment to further wage hikes and noted that Kerala was the first state to introduce festival allowances for ASHA workers.
However, the opposition dismissed these claims, arguing that other states like Haryana and West Bengal have seen similar protests demanding wage hikes at the state level. Mamkootathil also lashed out at the chief minister for ignoring the protest, questioning why politicians seek votes from the public but refuse to address their concerns once in power.
The heated discussion in the Assembly reflected the mounting discontent among ASHA workers and the political storm surrounding their demands. With tensions running high, the opposition vowed to intensify pressure on the government to act swiftly and resolve the crisis.
