Centre, Kerala govt conflict over ASHA staff’ funds
The Centre and the Kerala authorities on 5 March, Wednesday, continued to dispute the supply of funds for disbursing incentives to ASHA staff within the state.
Whereas state finance minister Ok.N. Balagopal accused the Centre of not offering funds on time, union minister George Kurian refuted the declare, stating that those that hear such allegations will begin respecting Narendra Modi as soon as they correctly examine the matter.
Speaking to reporters in Kollam, Balagopal mentioned that the Centre had but to launch Rs 100 crore in pending funds.
He urged the Centre to extend the honoraria for scheme staff, together with Accredited Social Well being Activist (ASHA) staff.
Balagopal mentioned that Kerala had been elevating this matter in the course of the pre-budget conferences convened by the union finance minister for the previous two years.
“In Jaisalmer, I additionally reiterated our demand that the speed of honoraria for Anganwadi staff, ASHA staff, and different scheme staff must be appropriately enhanced,” the Kerala finance minister mentioned.
Earlier, the workplace of state well being minister Veena George said that the declare that the Centre had allotted the total quantity on account of Kerala for centrally-sponsored well being schemes within the final monetary 12 months was incorrect.
The Centre has thus not supplied Rs 636.88 crore for the 12 months 2023-24 below the pretext of co-branding, the Well being Minister’s workplace mentioned in a press release.
It additional said that the well being minister had formally written to the union well being minister, the union well being secretary, the Nationwide Well being Mission, and the State Mission, stating that Rs 636.88 crore was but to be supplied by the Centre for NHM within the monetary 12 months 2023–24.
