Overview

• The Union government raised ASHA workers’ monthly incentive from ₹2,000 to ₹3,500 and increased the 10-year retirement grant from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000.
• Protesters have maintained an indefinite sit-in outside the Kerala State Secretariat since February 10, urging the Pinarayi Vijayan administration to adopt identical hikes.
• Four conciliation sessions with the chief minister’s office and a separate meeting with Health Minister Veena George failed to secure state approval for matching funds.
• Association leaders say the state easily has the capacity to boost honoraria, noting central-state funding under the National Health Mission already splits costs 60:40.
• The campaign has drawn two marches to Parliament and cross-party backing from Kerala MPs including Congress and BJP.