The accredited social health activists (ASHA) workers of Bengal have been on protest path, demanding among other things an increase of their monthly honorarium to Rs 15,000 from the Rs 5,250 they get. Representatives of the West Bengal Asha Karmi Union have been called for a meeting with the state health secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam on Wednesday at Swasthya Bhawan to discuss their demands. Apart from the hike in minimum wage, their other demands include recognition as healthcare employees, Rs 5 lakh compensation for Asha workers who die on duty, and immediate release of all dues. A section of ASHA workers were also involved in the ongoing special intensive revision of the electoral rolls as booth-level officers. On Tuesday Bengal health minister Chandrima Bhattacharya had warned the ASHA workers not to politicise the issue.

Source: The Telegraph January 21, 2026 08:26 UTC