Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Thursday announced an increase in the monthly remuneration of ASHA workers in the state. In addition to this, the government has also increased the ASHA employee termination incentive amount. This will benefit 49,522 Asha workers in the state. For this, the state government will spend an additional Rs 148.57 crore per year.
It is worth noting that during the district visits of 5T and Naveen Odisha Chairman VK Pandian, the ASHA workers and their associations met him and made requests and submitted proposals regarding an increase in their remuneration.
The monthly remuneration of Asha workers has been increased from Rs 4,500 to Rs 7,000. While earlier they were getting Rs 50,000 during termination of service, now they will get Rs 1 lakh. The state government was spending Rs 59.43 crore annually on their remuneration, but now it will spend Rs 208 crore annually. Similarly, the state government will bear the expenditure of Rs 55 lakh as service interruption assistance.
Asha workers are continuously working to provide support to pregnant women and delivery in the state. They have successfully created awareness about various government schemes for pregnant and postpartum women. In addition, ASHA workers have been carrying the responsibility in the field of vaccination and Institutional Delivery as well.