SHILLONG: Health Minister AL Hek told the Assembly during question hour that the ASHA workers in the state have not received their dues till 2018-19.
Hek said during March 2018-19, the government has sanctioned Rs 25,36,91,500 to clear their dues.
However, Congress MLA P T Sawkmie pointed out that the budget speech for 2019-20 mentions about another Rs 25 sanctioned for the ASHA workers.
Hek clarified that this will be corrected since the amount was for 2018-19.
Replying to a supplementary question by Congress MLA Mayralborn Syiem, Hek said money is released through District Medical and Health Officer to be paid to the ASHA workers.
He added that the sanction is awaited for 2019-2020.
Syiem pointed out that Andhra Pradesh pays a fixed wage of Rs 10,000 to the ASHA workers and Assam has also fixed an honorarium of Rs 3,000 for them.
He wanted to know whether the government can fix an honorarium or fix monthly salary. To this, Hek said no honorarium has been fixed to ASHA workers and the incentives depend on the works taken up by ASHA. Congress MLA Charles Pyngrope asked about the status of Infant Mortality Rate (IMR).
In reply, Hek replied that before 2011, IMR was 49 per cent which came down to 39 per cent and the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) was 429 which was reduced to 262.
