Lok Sabha Question No. 4778 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Honorarium for ASHA Workers of Kerala
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri M K Raghavan

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRYOF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4778 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28 TH MARCH, 2025

## HONORARIUM FOR ASHAWORKERS OFKERALA

## 4778. SHRI M K RAGHAVAN:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILYWELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has released its share of the honorarium for ASHA workers in Kerala for the current and previous financial years, if so, the details thereof, year-wise;
- (b) if not, the reasons for the delay;
- (c) whether the Government provide details on the total amount disbursed to Kerala for ASHA workers ' honorarium during the last five years, year-wise;
- (d) whether there is any mechanism put in place to improve coordination between the Central and State Governments to ensure timely payment of ASHA workers' honorarium; and
- (e) If so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV)

(a) to (e): With the objective of attainment of universal access to equitable, affordable and quality health care services, the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is implementing National Health Mission. Under National Health Mission (NHM), funds are released to the States/UTs including Kerala under Flexible Pool on a lump sum basis to provide greater flexibility to States/UTs to utilize the funds as per their felt need and priorities. In view of providing greater flexibility to State/UTs, separate funds are not released for ASHA but entire Central Release is under Flexible Pool of NHM for all States/UTs.

Further, public health is a state subject and the responsibility of delivery of healthcare services to the public lies with State Government including release of the share of honorarium for ASHA workers. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides technical and financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen their public healthcare system, based on the requirements posted by the States/UTs including Kerala in their State Programme Implementation Plans (SPIPs) and within the overall resource envelope. The number of approvals granted to each State is referenced in the Record of Proceedings (RoPs) available at the below mentioned link:

https://nhm.gov.in/index1.php?lang=1&level=1&sublinkid=1377&lid=744

The details of Central Release under the National Health Mission (NHM) from the FY 2019-20 to FY 2024-25 to the State of Kerala is as follows:

(Rs. in Cr.)

| Financial Year   | Central Release   |
|------------------|-------------------|
| 2019-20          | 836.14            |
| 2020-21          | 788.22            |
| 2021-22          | 771.47            |
| 2022-23          | 1,036.76          |
| 2023-24          | 189.15            |
| 2024-25          | 938.80            |

## Note:

1. The above releases relate to Central Govt. Grants & do not include State share contribution.
2. Central Release for the F.Y. 2024-25 is updated up to 05.03.2025 and is provisional.

The details of SPIP Approvals and Expenditure for ASHA workers under the National Health Mission (NHM) from the FY 2019-20 to FY 2024-25 to the State of Kerala is as follows:

(Rs. in Lakhs)

| Financial Year   | SPIPApprovals   | Expenditure   |
|------------------|-----------------|---------------|
| 2019-20          | 4,476.81        | 4,281.02      |
| 2020-21          | 4,902.21        | 8,215.03      |
| 2021-22          | 1,675.38        | 1,501.01      |
| 2022-23          | 8,780.07        | 7,868.19      |
| 2023-24          | 8,780.07        | 6,819.57      |
| 2024-25          | 8,256.54        | 5,268.27      |

## Note:

1. The above information is as per FMR submitted by State and is provisional.
2. Expenditure includes expenditure against Central Release, State release & unspent balances at the beginning of the year. The expenditure w.r.t. flexible pool for RCH, etc. is updated up-to 31.12.2024.

Under NHM, regular interactions are held with States/UTs. Various mechanisms exist to assess the implementation and progress of NHM including honorarium for ASHA workers like:

-  Review of key deliverables of Record of Proceedings of previous financial year during the NPCC meetings,
-  Common Review Missions are conducted regularly in the States/UTs which looks at financial systems and physical implementation of the program,
-  Implementation of Public Financial Management System for monitoring and management of funds.
-  Release of subsequent instalments is done on the basis of compliance of guidelines of Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance
-  Submission of Financial Monitoring Reports (FMRs) by the States/UTs.

Further, monitoring and evaluation of the progress of all States/ UTs including State of Kerala is assessed, through review meetings, video conferences & field visits of senior officials.

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