Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept. 9: The Andaman and Nicobar Administration has confirmed an increase in the monthly National Health Mission (NHM) incentive for ASHA workers to ₹5,000, while a separate proposal to operate air ambulance services using Defence aircraft remains under examination. The developments form part of the Administration’s response to a representation seeking better incentives for ASHAs and operationalisation of air ambulance services in the islands.
According to the point-wise response issued to the Member of Parliament for the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has approved the enhanced NHM incentive as a special case for the islands.
The approved increase will raise the monthly NHM incentive from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000. The approval, contained in the Records of Proceedings received from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, cites the islands’ geographical location, low population density and disease burden as considerations for the special-case enhancement.
The Administration said the necessary correspondence for releasing the revised ₹5,000 monthly incentive for June 2026, along with the pending incentives for April, May and June 2026, is under process. It said the payments will be released at the earliest.
A further increase in the Administration-funded component of the ASHA incentive is also under consideration. The proposal seeks to raise the Administration’s monthly contribution from ₹500 to ₹3,500 from the State Health Budget of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. The proposal is currently being processed for approval by the competent authority.
The response also addresses the long-pending issue of air ambulance services in the islands. The Administration said air ambulance services were not covered under NHM funding for the financial year 2026-27.
Following directions from the Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to explore an alternative funding mechanism, the Administration is examining a proposal to provide air ambulance services using Defence aircraft.
The Administration’s response was issued in reference to a letter dated July 22, 2026, from the Member of Parliament to the Chief Secretary concerning the enhancement of ASHA incentives and operationalisation of air ambulance services.
The two proposals now remain at different stages: the enhanced NHM incentive has received central approval and awaits release, the additional Administration-funded incentive is awaiting competent-authority approval, while the Defence aircraft-based air ambulance proposal remains under examination.
