Congress and CPI(M) clash over ASHAs' strike in Kerala

A heated debate took place in the Rajya Sabha as Congress and CPI(M) MPs from Kerala clashed over the ongoing strike by Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs). The ASHAs are demanding higher pay and benefits after retirement. Congress MP Jebi Mather spoke about the strike, highlighting that around 27,000 ASHAs have been protesting for 37 days and will start an indefinite hunger strike soon. She criticized both the Kerala government and the central government for ignoring their needs. Mather pointed out that ASHAs in Kerala earn only ₹7,000 per month, which she described as a very small amount. She questioned if a family could survive on just ₹233 per day. After her speech, CPI(M) MP John Brittas responded by saying that Kerala provides the highest honorarium for ASHAs. He accused the Congress of teaming up with the BJP to attack the state government. IUML MP Abdul Wahab also expressed frustration with both the central and state governments. He noted that discussions often become argumentative instead of constructive. Wahab called for the establishment of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Kerala and urged for an increase in medical school seats across the country. The ASHAs have been continuously protesting at the Secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, seeking better pay and benefits. Meanwhile, some Anganwadi workers have also started their own protest outside the Secretariat. The CPI(M)-led government claims it has not received funds from the central government for the National Health Mission (NHM) to pay the ASHAs. However, the Union government disputes this, stating that it has provided the necessary funds, but Kerala has not submitted the required documents. The Union Health Minister announced that incentives for ASHAs would be increased once the documentation is received.