ASHA Workers Protest in Agartala Over Pending Incentives

By Our Correspondent

Agartala, January 28, 2026

As many as 75 ASHA workers attached to the West Bhuvanban Urban Primary Health Centre staged a protest on Tuesday in front of the office of the Chief Medical Officer of West Tripura, alleging that their incentives have not been paid for the past four months.

The protesting workers said incentives form a crucial part of their earnings, as they receive fixed payments linked to the number of patients and services provided in their assigned localities. Apart from incentives, ASHA workers receive a modest monthly honorarium, which they said is insufficient to meet household expenses without timely incentive payments.

The protesters alleged that while beneficiaries under various health schemes have received their entitled benefits through direct transfers, the incentives due to ASHA workers for their role as caregivers have remained unpaid. They claimed the delay has caused severe financial stress for many workers.

One of the ASHA workers accused officials in the accounts section of the Chief Medical Officer’s office of failing to process payments on time. She said the last incentive payment was received around Durga Puja after a gap of four months and no payment has been made since then. She added that delayed payments have disrupted household budgets, with several workers struggling to meet monthly expenses and loan instalments.

Sources said the workers were informed by accounts officials that the release of incentives has been delayed due to an audit process that has been underway since January 12.

The ASHA workers demanded immediate clearance of pending dues and warned of intensified agitation if the issue is not resolved soon.

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