Srinagar, Sep 30 (KNO): ASHA workers in Jammu and Kashmir receive a monthly assured incentive of Rs 3,000 in addition to performance-based incentives under various national health programmes, the government informed the Assembly on Tuesday.
Replying to a question raised by MLA Sunil Bhardwaj, the government, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said ASHA workers play a crucial frontline role in maternal and child health, nutrition, immunisation and community welfare, particularly in rural and remote areas.
It noted that ASHAs function as honorary community health volunteers under the National Health Mission (NHM).
According to the reply, the assured incentive comprises Rs 2,000 for routine activities and Rs 1,000 under Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC). In addition, ASHAs receive performance-based incentives for activities carried out under various national health programmes.
On whether the existing incentives are commensurate with the nature and responsibility of their work, the government said any revision is made in line with policy decisions of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
It also clarified that Jammu and Kashmir has no separate mechanism to periodically revise ASHA incentives based on inflation or the cost of living.
"Revision of task-based incentives is undertaken as per policy decisions of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India," the reply said.
On social security measures, the government said ASHA workers are covered under several welfare schemes subject to eligibility criteria.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), they are entitled to a life insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh in case of natural death. They are also covered under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), which provides Rs 2 lakh for accidental death or permanent disability. The annual premiums are funded under the NHM framework.
Eligible ASHA workers can also avail benefits under AB-PMJAY/SEHAT, which offers cashless secondary and tertiary healthcare coverage of up to Rs 15 lakh per family annually.
The government further said ASHAs can enrol in the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) pension scheme, which provides an assured monthly pension of Rs 3,000 after the age of 60, subject to scheme provisions—(KNO)