Release pending wages for Anganwadi workers, helpers, ASHAs: Tarigami

Srinagar, Feb 19: Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and MLA Kulgam, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami has expressed serious concern over the plight of Anganwadi workers, helpers and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), urging the government to immediately release their pending wages, including both the Central and state shares.
In a statement issued here, he criticised the administration for its neglect of these workers, whose delayed payments have severely impacted their livelihoods.
Tarigami said Anganwadi workers, helpers and ASHAs, who are already struggling with meager wages, are being pushed further into distress due to non-payment of salaries. “The uncertainty surrounding their financial situation has only added to their hardships as the authorities have failed to address their fundamental issues of recognition, pension and social security,” he said.
The CPI(M) leader highlighted the plight of ASHAs working under the National Health Mission (NHM), who perform critical tasks such as community health planning, reproductive and child health services and referrals. “Despite their significant contribution to public healthcare, they are not provided with regular remuneration and are instead forced to work on minimal incentives, which are also not disbursed on time,” he said.
Tarigami said that last year, the health department had assured an enhancement of Rs 1,000 in incentives for ASHAs, starting from the financial year 2024-25. However, this increase has not been implemented uniformly, and many medical blocks are yet to receive the revised payments, he said. He demanded that the enhanced incentives be disbursed to all ASHAs without any further delay.
Stressing the need for immediate action, Tarigami called on the government to prioritise the welfare of these workers and ensure that their rightful dues are paid on time.