Maharashtra: Asha volunteers planning to call a statewide indefinite strike from January 12

In November, the state government had promised to increase the remuneration of Asha volunteers by INR 7,000 and that of group promoters by INR 6,200. But even after a month and a half, no government decision has been taken in this regard. Therefore, the feeling that the state government is cheating has arisen in the minds of Asha volunteers. The Maharashtra State Asha Group Promoter Employees Action Committee has warned that the government should take an immediate decision in this regard, otherwise there will be a state-wide indefinite strike from January 12.

About 70 thousand Asha volunteers and more than three and a half thousand group promoters in the state are working in the National Health Mission. Asha volunteers and group promoters called a strike between October 18 and November 9, 2023 for various demands besides increase in salary. 

On November 1, 2023, the Health Minister held a meeting with the Kriti Committee and as a Diwali gift to Asha volunteers and group promoters, two thousand rupees, seven thousand rupees in remuneration of Asha volunteers and 6200 rupees in remuneration of group promoters were promised. But the strike was prolonged due to lack of satisfactory increase in the remuneration of the group promoters.

Subsequently, in a meeting with the Chief Minister on November 9, instructions were given to Upper Chief Secretary Milind Mhaiskar over the phone to pay INR 10,000 to the promoters of the group. After suspending the strike from November 10, Asha volunteers and group promoters of A.B.H. Completed the tasks of card and golden card withdrawal, filling of PMMVY application form online. However, the salary cut during the strike has not been paid yet. Also, the state government has not yet issued a government decision regarding the increase in remuneration.

A march was held on December 18 in the winter session to demand the release of the government decision. However, as this has not been taken into consideration, there has been a strong resentment among Asha volunteers and group promoters. Therefore, they have boycotted online activities since December 29 and if the government decision is not issued immediately, all Asha volunteers and group promoters will go on a statewide indefinite strike from January 12, the Maharashtra State Asha Group Promoters Staff Action Committee has warned.