TURA: The Meghalaya ASHA Workers’ Union on Monday began its indefinite strike in protest against the failure of the concerned authorities to respond to their letter with regard to their demands.
In its letter to the Director of the Directorate of Health Services in Shillong, the union informed that the indefinite strike would continue until a proposal for ASHA’s State Honorarium is sent from the department to the state government as has been done by other Indian States.
Earlier, the ASHA workers had written to the Health and Family Welfare Minister where they informed that various incentives due to them like ASHA benefit scheme since 2015-16, Meghalaya Maternity Benefit Scheme since 2012, honorarium for last one year, both home-based Newborn Care and JSY for last six months have been pending.
The Director of Health Services (MCH & FW) cum Joint Mission Director, NHM in Shillong on May 16 this year, had directed the DM&HOs of all districts in the state to submit the backlog details due to ASHAs and beneficiaries up to 2017-18 and projections for the FY 2018-19 entitled under two schemes to his office at the earliest. The official had also directed that immediate steps are taken to ensure all backlogs/incentives due to ASHAs are cleared at the earliest.