Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who chairs the cabinet sub-committee formed to address employee issues, on Thursday instructed the state health and family welfare department to write to the Union government seeking an increase in incentives provided to Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers and facilitators.
Meeting with unions
The minister stated that the Union government must be urged to enhance these payments under the existing scheme, which operates on a 60:40 financial ratio between the Centre and the state. Cheema's remarks came during a meeting with a delegation from the ASHA Workers Facilitators Sanjha Morcha. He also met representatives of the Powercom and Transco Theka Mulazam Union and directed Punjab State Power Corporation Ltd (PSPCL) and Punjab State Transmission Corporation Ltd (PSTCL) to formulate a policy addressing their demand for contractual employment instead of outsourced positions.
Life insurance for ASHA workers
Cheema added that he had asked the health department to ensure a life insurance cover for each ASHA worker and facilitator. “Any legitimate demand raised by a union, which can be resolved directly at the departmental level, must be addressed without delay,” he said. The minister emphasized the importance of timely resolution of employee grievances to maintain morale and efficiency in public services.
