ASHA, Mamta workers to get higher incentives: CM

In another pre-poll sop, Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday announced to enhance the incentive amount of ASHA and Mamta workers in the state.

- Vijay Swaroop

Bihar assembly elections are due in October-November this year, though the Election Commission is yet to make any formal announcement.

“Since the formation of the government in November 2005, we have worked extensively to improve health services. ASHA and Mamta workers have played an important role in improving health services in rural areas. Keeping this in mind and honouring the important contribution of ASHA and Mamta workers in strengthening health services in rural areas, it has been decided to increase their honorarium. ASHA workers will now be given an incentive of 23,000 instead of 21,000. Also, Mamta workers will be given an incentive of 2600 instead of %300 per delivery. This will further boost their morale and health services in rural areas will be strengthened,” CM Kumar posted on X in Hindi.

As per health department data, the number of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers in Bihar is 91,094. Mamta workers are contract health workers in maternity wards of government hospitals to take care of newborns and their mothers.

ASHA workers have been protesting for long for better pay, recognition, and working conditions.