Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday announced a significant increase in the incentive amount for rural healthcare workers — ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) and Mamta workers — for ‘playing a significant role in enhancing healthcare services in rural areas.’
ASHA workers will now get an incentive amount of Rs 3,000 instead of Rs 1,000, while Mamta workers will receive an incentive amount of Rs 600 per delivery instead of Rs 300.
Making the announcement on the social media platform ‘X’, Nitish Kumar said: “Since the formation of the government in November 2005, we have worked extensively to improve health services. ASHA and Mamta workers have played a significant role in enhancing healthcare services in rural areas. Keeping this in mind and honouring the important contribution of ASHA and Mamta workers in strengthening health services in rural areas, a decision has been made to increase their honorarium.
“ASHA workers will now be provided with an incentive amount of Rs 3,000 instead of Rs 1,000. Similarly, Mamta workers will be provided with an incentive amount of Rs 600 per delivery instead of Rs 300, which will further boost their morale and strengthen health services in rural areas,” he added.
The Opposition has termed it another sop in the run-up to the Assembly elections later this year.
Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, criticised the government for ignoring the welfare of the people of Bihar for the past 20 years.
He said: “When we announced these welfare schemes for the deserving people, promising a better future, the government, its leaders, ministers, and officials used to mock us. Now, they have been copying our schemes. They are scared of losing power.”
He stated that during his 17-month stint as health minister, he had initiated the process of increasing the incentive amount for ASHA and Mamta workers that was in its final stage when Chief Minister Nitish Kumar suddenly switched sides.
He added, “This incompetent NDA government has been sitting on it for two years. Finally, they had to bow down to our demand to increase the incentive amount for ASHA and Mamta workers. Now, this government will also accept our demand to increase the honorarium for Anganwadi workers, assistants, and cooks as well.”
Ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections due in October-November, Nitish Kumar has announced a series of social welfare initiatives.
Among the recent announcements are an increase in social security pension to senior citizens, widows, and people with disabilities; a hike in the pension of accredited journalists under the Bihar Patrakaar Samman Pension Scheme; and the provision of 125 units of free electricity for domestic consumers.
Another significant announcement was a new domicile policy ensuring that the existing 35 per cent reservation for women in government jobs should be availed only by women who are permanent residents of Bihar.