On Saturday, protesting accredited social health activist (ASHA) workers clashed with police outside Punjab health minister Dr Balbir Singh's private residence in Patiala. The workers demanded higher wages and retirement benefits.
March and confrontation
The workers, who held a state-level march from the old bus stand, reached the minister's residence around 12:30 pm. They sought a fixed monthly salary of Rs 24,000 and implementation of pre-poll promises. Despite heavy barricading, a group of protesters pushed towards the residence, raising slogans. The situation escalated when some tried to remove barricades, leading to a scuffle.
Allegations of police misconduct
Kamaljit Kaur, state president of the ASHA Workers Union Punjab, alleged that police personnel manhandled protesters. She claimed there were no women cops at the spot and that male personnel mishandled the women. "During the scuffle, some workers were dragged and their dupattas were pulled; several women sustained injuries," she said, terming it a violation of their right to protest.
Key demands and unfulfilled promises
The workers said their key demand is a fixed monthly wage of Rs 24,000. Kamaljit said the government had promised during the elections to double their Rs 2,500 monthly incentive, but the pledge remains unfulfilled. "We run multiple health programmes round the clock but are expected to survive on a meagre Rs 2,500," she said.
Protest lifted with ultimatum
The union initially threatened an indefinite sit-in but lifted the protest after nearly four hours, issuing an ultimatum to the government. It warned of a gherao of the finance minister's residence in Dirba on June 27 if demands are not met.
Police response and memorandum submission
Police denied using force, stating they attempted to hold talks and prevent the march, but protesters breached the barricades. Sub-divisional magistrate Gurdev Singh Dham later accepted a memorandum and said the demands would be conveyed to the chief minister, health minister and senior officials.
Role of ASHA workers
ASHA workers, engaged under the National Health Mission as incentive-based volunteers, play a key role in grassroots healthcare delivery, including maternal care, immunisation drives and disease tracking.
