Nitish Kumar Boosts ASHA and Mamta Workers' Incentives in Bihar

Patna, July 30 (PTI) - As the Bihar assembly elections approach, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar unveiled a significant increase in incentives for ASHA workers and 'Mamta' health workers. On Wednesday, Kumar announced that ASHA workers would see their monthly incentives tripled to Rs 3,000, up from the current Rs 1,000.

He also announced that incentives for 'Mamta' health workers would be doubled, increasing from Rs 300 to Rs 600 per delivery.

In a post on social media platform X, Kumar stated, "Since the formation of the government in November 2005, we have worked extensively to improve health services. Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) and 'Mamta' workers have played a significant role in enhancing health services in rural areas." He further elaborated that ASHA workers will now receive an incentive amount of Rs 3,000 instead of Rs 1,000.

'Mamta' workers, integral to maternity wards in government hospitals, will now receive Rs 600 per delivery. This move acknowledges their critical contribution to maternal and newborn care.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav responded to the CM’s announcement, highlighting that he had initiated the process of increasing incentives for ASHA and 'Mamta' workers during his own tenure as the state health minister. "This enhanced incentive will boost their morale and strengthen rural health services," he remarked.

The decision to increase these incentives recognizes the contributions of ASHA and 'Mamta' workers in bolstering rural health care services, Kumar shared on social media.

ASHA workers operate at the grassroots level under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to facilitate health service delivery in rural communities. An official explained that the NRHM proposed a structure where female health workers are introduced at the village level for every 1,000 population.

Meanwhile, 'Mamta' workers are described as contractual health activists focused on assisting in government hospital maternity services.

Tejashwi Yadav, in a separate post on X, said that the initiative was in its final stages during his time as health minister. He accused the current administration, formed with the BJP, of delaying its implementation. "This incompetent NDA government had been sitting on it for two years. Finally, they had to bow down to our demands," he alleged.

Yadav claimed the current government has only partially implemented demands related to incentive increases. "Now, this government will have no choice but to accept our demand to increase the honorarium of Anganwadi workers/assistants and cooks as well," he asserted.

He further argued that during his 17-month tenure, honorariums for Vikas Mitra, Shiksha Mitra/Tola Sevak, Talimi Markaz, and local governance representatives were increased. "This government is simply copying our ideas and demands out of fear," Yadav claimed.

He concluded with a prediction for electoral repercussions: "This visionless government will be wiped out in the coming assembly polls. For the last 20 years, were they just peeling peanut shells? Their leaders, ministers, and officials, who used to mock our announcements, are now scared of the results. They know that they will be thrown out by the electors. Will you just keep copying Tejashwi, or will you use your own brains for once?", he challenged.

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