Hyderabad: Asha workers protest at Koti DME for hikes

As a part of these protests, the ASHA workers attempted ‘Chalo Secretariat’ but were foiled by the police, who took them into custody from various locations in the city

Hyderabad: Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) on Monday participated in a series of protests demanding immediate hikes in their remuneration, one of the main pre-poll promises of the Congress party.

As a part of these protests, the ASHA workers attempted ‘Chalo Secretariat’ but were foiled by the police, who took them into custody from various locations in the city.

Ever since the Congress government came to power, ASHA workers have been demanding implementation of the hike from Rs 9,750, which was part of the Congress manifesto during the assembly elections.

A few months ago, they participated in a ‘Chalo DME’ rally at Koti in which police used force to break the protests resulting in a few workers receiving injuries and being admitted to Osmania General Hospital (OGH).

“ASHAs are the backbone of all healthcare initiatives as we are the field level workers implementing these schemes. There are 30,000 ASHA workers in the State who are involved in various healthcare projects. We are demanding the State government implement its promise, which was part of its manifesto,” says State ASHA Workers union president, Jayalakshmi.

Former State Health Minister, T Harish Rao extended his support to ASHAs and criticised the State government for not fulfilling its pre-poll promises.

“It’s been almost 15 months since the Congress Government came into power. It was already prepared two budgets and yet is not fulfilling its promises. The ASHA workers are only demanding what the State government has promised and there is nothing wrong in it. I condemn the use of force against ASHA workers,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).

రాష్ట్ర వ్యాప్తంగా ఆశా వర్కర్ల అరెస్టులను బిఆర్ఎస్ పార్టీ పక్షాన తీవ్రంగా ఖండిస్తున్నాం.
అరెస్టు చేసిన వారిని తక్షణం విడుదల చేయాలని రాష్ట్ర ప్రభుత్వాన్ని డిమాండ్ చేస్తున్నాం.

ఎన్నికల మేనిఫెస్టో ప్రకారం వేతనాలు పెంచాలని డిమాండ్ చేయడమే వారు చేసిన నేరమా?
వందల సంఖ్యలో పోలీసులను… pic.twitter.com/7GlQkV0qJ5

— Harish Rao Thanneeru (@BRSHarish) March 24, 2025

Major demands of ASHA workers:

• Implement Rs 18,000 as monthly fixed remuneration in the ongoing assembly session

• Provide PF and ESI facilities

• Promote ASHA workers who have completed ANM training

• Implement Rs 50 lakh insurance scheme for all ASHA workers

• Provide holidays on Sundays and festivals

• Provide maternity leaves for ASHAs