Bengaluru: ASHA workers across Karnataka have launched a three-day district-level protest from August 12 to 14, accusing the state government of failing to honor its assurances. The agitation, led by the Karnataka State United ASHA Workers’ Union (AIUTUC), is being staged near Freedom Park in the state capital.
The workers have reiterated their key demands, including:
A minimum monthly guarantee of ₹10,000 — combining the state honorarium and the Centre’s partial incentive — effective from April this year.
A ₹1,000 incentive hike for ASHA workers, in line with the increase announced for Anganwadi and hot meal workers in the March 2025 budget.
An end to raising population limits for ASHA workers in the name of rationalisation, and a guarantee against dismissals on this basis.
Scrapping what they term the “unscientific” performance appraisal system.
Continuation of ASHA facilitators with appropriate pay.
Post-retirement jobs for ASHAs, based on the West Bengal model.
A ₹2,000 honorarium increase for urban ASHAs.
Implementation in Karnataka of the Central Government’s June–July 2025 incentive hike.
Social activists and allied organisations have backed the protest, terming the demands “fair and overdue.” They pointed out that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had personally promised to address ASHA workers’ grievances, and urged the government to act without further delay.
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