J&K ASHA Workers Get Rs 3,000 Monthly Incentive, Government Tells Assembly
SRINAGAR: ASHA workers in Jammu and Kashmir receive an assured monthly incentive of Rs 3,000, along with additional performance-based payments for various activities under national health programmes, the government informed the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.
The information was provided in response to a question raised by MLA Sunil Bhardwaj.
According to the government, the assured monthly amount includes Rs 2,000 for routine activities and Rs 1,000 under Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC). In addition to this fixed incentive, ASHA workers are also eligible for task-based payments linked to work performed under different national health programmes.
ASHA Workers Play Key Role in Rural Healthcare
The government said ASHA workers function as honorary community health volunteers under the National Health Mission (NHM).
They perform frontline duties related to maternal and child health, nutrition, immunisation and community welfare, with an important role particularly in rural and remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
When asked whether the existing incentives were adequate in view of the responsibilities handled by ASHA workers, the government said revisions are made in accordance with policy decisions of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
No Separate Inflation-Based Revision Mechanism in J&K
The government also clarified that Jammu and Kashmir does not have a separate mechanism for periodically revising ASHA incentives based on inflation or changes in the cost of living.
It stated that revisions to task-based incentives are undertaken according to policy decisions of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
ASHA Workers Get Life and Accident Insurance Benefits
The government also outlined various social security and healthcare benefits available to eligible ASHA workers.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), ASHA workers are entitled to Rs 2 lakh life insurance coverage in case of natural death.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), they receive Rs 2 lakh coverage for accidental death or permanent disability.
The government said the annual premiums for these insurance covers are funded under the National Health Mission (NHM) framework.
Up to Rs 15 Lakh Healthcare Cover Under AB-PMJAY/SEHAT
Eligible ASHA workers can also access healthcare benefits under AB-PMJAY/SEHAT.
The scheme provides cashless secondary and tertiary healthcare coverage of up to Rs 15 lakh per family per year, subject to the applicable eligibility provisions.
ASHA Workers Can Also Join PM-SYM Pension Scheme
The government further said eligible ASHA workers can enrol in the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-SYM) pension scheme.
Under the scheme, eligible beneficiaries are entitled to an assured monthly pension of Rs 3,000 after attaining the age of 60, subject to the applicable provisions of the scheme.
The government’s response highlights the monthly incentives, performance-linked payments, insurance protection, healthcare coverage and pension option available to eligible ASHA workers in Jammu and Kashmir.
Tags: J&K ASHA Workers, ASHA Workers, Jammu Kashmir News, NHM J&K, Rs 3000 Incentive, Health Workers, J&K Government