Lok Sabha Question No. 4711 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-28
Subject: Regularisation of ASHA Workers
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Shri K Radhakrishnan

## GOVERNMENTOFINDIA MINISTRY OFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE DEPARTMENTOFHEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4711 TO BE ANSWERED ON 28.03.2025

## REGULARISATION OFASHA WORKERS

## 4711. SHRI K RADHAKRISHNAN:

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has not regularised ASHA workers despite their crucial role in public healthcare, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (b) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure fair wages and social security for ASHA workers;
- (c) whether the Government has carried out any studies on the working conditions and challenges faced by ASHA workers, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the amount of funds meant for Kerala pending with the Union Government; and
- (e) the time by which the said amount/funds is likely to be released by the Union Government to the State?

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

(a) to (e) : The primary responsibility of strengthening public healthcare system, including support for ASHA workers lies with the respective State/UT Governments. Under National Health Mission (NHM), the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides the technical and financial support to the States/UTs to strengthen their public healthcare system, based on the requirements posted by States/UTs in their Programme Implementation Plans (PIPs) and within the overall resource envelope.

ASHAs are envisaged to be community health volunteer and are given performancebased incentives after completion of specific activities under various National Health Programmes. ASHAs receive a fixed monthly incentive of Rs. 2000 per month in the country, for routine and recurring activities. Additionally, they are provided performance-based incentives for a varied set of activities under various National Health Programmes. The details of these ASHA incentives are available on the following Uniform Resources Locator (URL): https://nhm.gov.in/New-Update-2023-24/ASHA/Orders\_and\_guidelines/ASHA-INCENTIVES.p

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Further, States/UTs have also been given flexibility to provide additional incentives to ASHAworkers.

After the launch of Ayushman Arogya Mandir, ASHAs are eligible additionally for Team Based Incentives (TBIs) along with ANMs based on monitored performance indicators (up to 1000 per month). ASHAs are also entitled to non-monetary incentives like - ASHA Uniform, Identity Card, Cycle, Mobile, CUG Sim, ASHA Diary, Drug Kit, ASHA rest room etc. The Government has also approved a cash award of ₹20,000/- and a citation to ASHAs who leave the programme after working as ASHAs for minimum of 10 years, as acknowledgement of their contribution.

In the year 2018, the ASHA benefit package was introduced acknowledging significant contribution and commitment of ASHAs. The package provides coverage for:

-  Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Beema Yojana (PMJJBY) with a benefit Rs. 2.00 Lakh in case of death of the insured (annual premium contributed by GOI).
-  Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Beema Yojana (PMSBY) with a benefit of Rs.2.00 lakh for accidental death or permanent disability; Rs. 1.00 lakh for partial disability (annual premium contributed by GOI).

In addition, Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan Dhan (PM-SYM) with pension benefit of ₹3,000/pm after age of 60 years (50% contribution of premium by GOI and 50% by beneficiaries) is also available for ASHA workers. ASHAs across the States/UTs have been enrolled in all the above-mentioned Social Security Schemes as per the defined eligibility norms.

Also, a health care annual coverage of ₹5 Lakhs under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB- PMJAY) has been extended to all ASHAs workers.

The central release to the State of Kerala under NHM for the year FY 2024-25 is Rs. 1350.67 crores (as on 26.03.2025).

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