Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Bihar, Chief Minister Mr. Nitish Kumar has made a significant announcement to enhance the welfare of grassroots health workers by increasing the honorarium for Asha and Mamta workers. The announcement, which comes as part of a series of populist measures, was made public by the Chief Minister himself through his official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
Honorarium Doubled for Health Workers
In his post, Mr. Nitish Kumar acknowledged the critical contribution of Asha and Mamta workers in strengthening healthcare delivery, especially in rural areas. He stated, “Since the formation of the government in November 2005, we have made continuous efforts to improve health services. Asha and Mamta workers have played a vital role in this mission.”
As per the latest announcement:
- Asha workers will now receive an increased incentive of Rs. 3,000, up from the current Rs. 1,000.
- Mamta workers will now get Rs. 600 per delivery, instead of the earlier Rs. 300.
The Chief Minister said this step is aimed at boosting their morale and improving the quality and outreach of health services in rural Bihar.
Series of Welfare Announcements
This decision follows a string of recent announcements made by Mr. Kumar:
- On July 17, he declared 125 units of free electricity for consumers under the exchange meter system.
- On July 16, he directed the Education Department to promptly assess teacher vacancies and expedite the TRE 4 examination for new appointments in government schools.
- Under the Bihar Patrakar Samman Pension Scheme, he also increased the monthly pension for eligible journalists to Rs. 15,000 from the previous Rs. 6,000.
These decisions are seen as efforts to address key voter concerns ahead of the state polls.
Opposition Reaction
Reacting to the development, Leader of Opposition Mr. Tejashwi Prasad Yadav accused the state government of adopting his initiatives under political pressure. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Mr. Yadav said, “When I was the Health Minister for 17 months, I had initiated the process to increase the incentives for Asha and Mamta workers. The proposal had reached its final stage before the government changed. Now, bowing to our persistent demands, the government has finally implemented it.”
The increase in honorarium is expected to bring relief and recognition to thousands of Asha and Mamta workers in Bihar who play a pivotal role in delivering frontline healthcare services, especially in rural and underserved areas.
