THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – Thousands of ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activists) workers in Kerala, the backbone of the state’s grassroots healthcare system, find themselves in a state of uncertainty. Despite a high-profile announcement by Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal in the 2026-27 Budget to increase their monthly honorarium by ₹1,000, official documents reveal that the necessary funds have not been allocated.
The Math Doesn’t Add Up
During his budget speech, the Finance Minister promised to raise the monthly honorarium of ASHA workers from ₹8,000 to ₹9,000. However, the budget documents tell a different story.
For the state’s 26,125 ASHA workers, the government has allocated only ₹250.80 crore under the head 2210-06-112-98-34 (Non-Plan). This amount only covers the previous rate of ₹8,000 per month.
Category Requirement Allocated in Budget Deficit
Total Annual Cost ₹282.15 Crore ₹250.80 Crore ₹31.35 Crore
Health Department Seeks Emergency Funds
Recognizing the shortfall, the Health Department has reportedly approached the Finance Department to request an additional ₹31.35 crore. Without this supplementary allocation, the promised hike cannot be implemented, leaving workers with the same pay they received last year despite the public “applause-winning” announcement.
Growing Discontent and Political Backlash
The discrepancy has sparked outrage among ASHA workers’ unions, who label the move a “budgetary gimmick” ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
"We work under extreme pressure for a pittance. To announce a hike for headlines and then fail to set aside the money in the actual budget is a cruel joke on thousands of women workers," said a representative of a leading health workers' union.If the Finance Department does not approve the additional funds soon, ASHA workers face two grim possibilities:
The promised ₹1,000 hike will remain on paper only.
Disbursement of existing honorariums could face delays in the coming months due to fund exhaustion.
