The Central Government has significantly increased their financial benefits. Monthly incentives have been raised from ₹2,000 to ₹3,500, while retirement benefits have more than doubled—from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000.
The announcement was made following a Mission Steering Group meeting held on March 4, with Union Minister of State for Health informing Parliament of the decision in response to a query by MP N.K. Premachandran.
ASHA workers who complete 10 years of service will be eligible for the revised retirement package. Additionally, under the Ayushman Arogya Mandir scheme, workers are entitled to receive an extra ₹1,000 per month.
While the Centre provides financial and technical assistance, it emphasized that the responsibility to improve working conditions and wages of ASHA workers primarily rests with state governments.
This development comes in the backdrop of an ongoing protest by ASHA workers in Kerala, who have been demanding a higher honorarium and a retirement benefit of ₹5 lakh.
The Centre also highlighted that several states have equipped ASHA workers with essentials such as uniforms, ID cards, mobile phones, CUG SIMs, bicycles, medicine kits, ASHA diaries, and rest rooms. However, it noted disparities in how different states implement support measures, despite clear central guidelines.
