Sri Vijaya Puram, Sep 17: The monthly payment of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA workers) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been enhanced from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 with effect from April 2026, providing an increase of ₹3,000 per month to the frontline health workers.
In recognition of the efforts made by Member of Parliament Bishnu Pada Ray in securing the enhancement, the District Administration will organise a felicitation and interaction programme with ASHA workers and the MP today at 11 am at the Disaster Management Office.
The programme will also include the distribution of arrears to ASHA workers through the hands of the MP.
The enhancement represents a 150 per cent increase over the earlier monthly payment of ₹2,000. With the revised amount applicable retrospectively from April 2026, ASHA workers are also set to receive arrears for the period for which the enhanced payment was pending.
ASHA workers are community-based frontline health workers who serve as a link between communities and the public health system, particularly at the grassroots level. They work closely with families in their areas to support access to healthcare and government health programmes.
Their responsibilities include creating awareness about maternal and child health, immunisation, nutrition, sanitation and communicable diseases, encouraging pregnant women to access antenatal and institutional care, supporting immunisation activities and helping people connect with health facilities and public health services.
ASHA workers also undertake community-level health outreach and assist health authorities in implementing various national health programmes. Their work often involves visiting households, identifying health-related needs and encouraging people to seek timely medical attention.
The revised payment comes against the backdrop of these continuing responsibilities at the community level. The increase from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 means an additional ₹36,000 annually for each ASHA worker, before accounting for any other incentives or payments applicable under different health programmes.
The felicitation and interaction programme is expected to provide an opportunity for ASHA workers to interact directly with the MP and the District Administration. The distribution of arrears will form a key part of the programme, enabling workers to receive the enhanced payment due to them from April 2026.
The District Administration’s programme will thus mark both the recognition of ASHA workers’ contribution to grassroots healthcare and the implementation of the enhanced monthly payment.
