UDF MLAs march to Secretariat, declare support for ASHAs

Opposition MLAs boycott Assembly discussions to support ASHAs' demand for fair remuneration, led by V.D. Satheesan.

The Opposition MLAs on Thursday boycotted the discussions on the demand for grants in the Assembly and marched to the Secretariat, declaring solidarity with the Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), who began an indefinite fast on Thursday morning. The march was led by Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan.

Mr. Satheesan assured the ASHAs of the absolute support of the Opposition in taking up their livelihood issues. “The Opposition sees no politics in supporting the ASHAs’ demand that they should receive a remuneration commensurate with the work they do. The UDF MPs have taken up ASHAs’ cause in a big way in Parliament, following which the Centre had to declare that the incentive of ASHAs will be hiked,” he said.

He said that the State government should raise the honorarium and the Centre should revise the incentive pattern. Mr. Satheesan added that the UDF had decided to take up the issues of ASHAs and anganwadi workers because their grievances were genuine.

Meanwhile, Ms. George said in New Delhi that Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda had not given her an appointment to meet him and that she had given a memorandum to the Resident Commissioner seeking time to meet Mr. Nadda.