Lok Sabha Question No. 2227 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Social Security for ASHA Workers in Kerala
Ministry: HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
Asked by: Dr. Shashi Tharoor

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2227 TO BE ANSWERED ON 12.12.2025

## SOCIALSECURITYFOR ASHAWORKERS IN KERALA

## 2227. DR. SHASHI THAROOR:

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

(a) whether the Central Government is aware that ASHA workers in Kerala and other States across the country continue to face challenges such as irregular honorarium payments, lack of social-security benefits and inadequate training;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the specific steps the Government has taken/proposes to take to standardize the payment structure, social protection and recognition framework for ASHA workers across States in the country given their critical role in implementing health and social welfare; and

(d) whether the Government plans to introduce a national framework for career progression, insurance and capacity-building for ASHA workers and if so, the timeline fixed for the same?

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

(a) to (d): Health is a State subject, and the primary responsibility for strengthening public healthcare systems, 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 volunteers and are entitled to task/activity-based incentives. ASHAs receive a fixed monthly incentive for routine and recurring activities and performance-based incentives for a varied set of activities under various National Health Programmes. The incentives are provided as a part of Centrally Sponsored Scheme, NHM.

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.

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 ₹ 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; ₹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, ASHAs along with their family members are provided with health care annual coverage of ₹ 5 Lakhs under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (ABPMJAY).

Further, States/UTs including State of Kerala provide additional incentives to ASHA workers over and above provided under NHM from State/UT budget. Based on local needs, geography, and health dynamics, States/UTs may decide to provide appropriate honorarium to ASHAs over and above the support provided under NHM.

The training of ASHAs and community health workers is critical in enhancing their credibility in the community and effectiveness to achieve the desired healthcare outcomes through building knowledge and skills. Training helps workforce to effectively deliver their multiple role as a facilitator, community level health care provider, and health activist.

A cascade model of the training has been adopted for capacity building of ASHAs, wherein national trainers train the State trainers, who further train the district/block level trainers or ASHAs.

Training for Healthcare workforce and frontline health workers is regularly organized and planned in a cascade model. Further, trainings are also organized and conducted by States/UTs through its own funds.

The detailed guidelines related to ASHA workers may be accessed at the following Uniform Resource Locator (URL):

https://nhm.gov.in/images/pdf/communitisation/asha/Orders-Guidelines/Guidelines\_ for\_Community\_Processes\_2014\_English.pdf

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