Kerala health minister Veena George set to meet JP Nadda over the ASHA worker’s demands
At the same time, the hunger strike by the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association entered 3rd day, although they chose to stay out of the ongoing controversy over the statements by Veena George
Thiruvananthapuram: Amid the stand-off between the state and the central government over the allocation of funds towards the welfare of ASHA workers, it has been confirmed that health minister Veena George will be meeting union health minister JP Nadda next week in New Delhi.
The decision to meet JP Nadda comes a day after Veena George reached New Delhi and could not get an appointment with the union health minister due to other important developments taking place in the parliament.
“I never disclosed my intentions about the Delhi trip to anyone. What I mentioned was that I would meet the Union minister within a week. In Delhi, I told the media that if I couldn’t secure an appointment that day, I would arrange a meeting on another suitable day,” said Veena George.
Meanwhile, the indefinite hunger strike by ASHA workers in front of the Kerala secretariat is continuing for the third consecutive day. A group of ASHA workers have decided to meet the union minister in Delhi to raise their issues related to remuneration, fixed payment and retirement benefits.
The state minister had sought an appointment with the Union minister to discuss various issues including the ASHA workers’ issue.
She further defended her actions, explaining, “There was nothing wrong in trying to meet the Union minister during my trip, especially when ASHA workers are on strike.” This comment was in response to allegations that she had gone to Delhi to meet representatives of the Cuban government.
At the same time, the hunger strike by the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association entered its second day, although they chose to stay out of the ongoing controversy.
In another development, ASHA Workers Federation, affiliated to CITU, also launched a protest against the Central Government, demanding that ASHA workers be recognised as regular employees, with their honorarium raised to `26,000. Federation general secretary P P Prema said protest marches towards Central government offices were held at 15 locations in the state.
Click for more latest Kerala news. Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9.
