Former Finance Minister Criticizes Kerala Government's Honorarium Increase for ASHA Workers

Former Kerala Finance Minister K N Balagopal criticized the new UDF government's announcement of a Rs 3,000 increase in ASHA workers' honorarium. He claimed the move falls short of election promises and highlighted the previous Left government's phased increments. The UDF plans further implementations in line with its manifesto.

Hours after Kerala's new UDF government announced a Rs 3,000 honorarium hike for ASHA workers, former Finance Minister K N Balagopal voiced criticism. He argued that the increase falls short of the Congress-led front's assembly campaign promises.

Balagopal, a CPI(M) leader, noted in a Facebook post that the UDF had promised to address ASHA workers' demands immediately upon taking office. Previously, workers protested for months for a Rs 21,000 monthly honorarium and a Rs 5 lakh retirement benefit.

Although the new government pledged further implementations from its manifesto, Balagopal praised the phased hikes under the Left government, which raised the honorarium from Rs 1,000 to Rs 9,000 by the end of its term.