Asha workers hit the streets, demand fixed monthly pay
Times of India | 7 February 2026
Kolkata: Hundreds of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) volunteers staged a protest in Kolkata on Friday, rejecting the Rs 1,000 increase in honorarium announced in the West Bengal vote-on-account budget on Thursday and renewing their demand for a fixed monthly pay on a par with ICDS workers.
They gathered outside Swasthya Bhavan in Salt Lake and sat on the pavement on Friday afternoon, demanding a minimum monthly remuneration of Rs 15,000. Bidhannagar Police set up barricades and deployed additional force to prevent the crowd from advancing.
"A Rs 1,000 increase means nothing when we are struggling on such a low honorarium. We are asking for a dignified, fixed salary," said Ismat Ara Khatun, a protester.
They submitted a detailed memorandum to the office of the health secretary, listing multiple issues beyond remuneration. These included provision of a full mobile recharge package every month, clearance of pending dues, and introduction of medical leave in addition to other leave benefits announced by the govt.
State finance minister Chandrima Bhattacharjee said: "They are being misled. This is what they should go and say in Delhi. ASHA workers fall under the National Health Mission, yet the Union Budget made no specific allocation for them."
After the memorandum was accepted, the protesters dispersed peacefully.
On Thursday, CM Mamata Banerjee announced a Rs 1,000 hike in ASHA honorarium, raising it to around Rs 6,200 per month, along with 180 days of maternity leave and an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh in case of death on duty.