ASHA workers meet Rana, raise their issues

JAMMU DECEMBER 20: Senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana today lauded the contribution of women in socio-economic milieu, saying their sense of devotion and dedication towards uplift of the society has been tremendous.

“Women emancipation and empowerment is receiving priority attention now as never before”, Rana said while interacting with a group of ASHA Workers Union Jammu here, adding that Prime Minister Mr Narendra Modi has taken historic decisions for welfare of the women folk. 

Believing women as bulwark against societal evils, Mr Rana said the Centre has taken several measures for their economic emancipation, Since 2014 the government has created 20 lakh self-help groups on priority, and over 2.25 crore families have been brought into their fold.  He said this will go a long way in improving the lives of women as their financial empowerment is imperative. He said the Modi government has created many opportunities for women to perform and excel academically and economically.

Rana referred to the schemes like Mudra Yojna and said over 15 crore women entrepreneurs are being funded. He also referred to the opportunities created for women as part of the Prime Minister’s mission to focus on every segment of society under his cherished agenda of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Pryas, Sabka Vishwas.

Devender Rana assured the workers that the issues raised by them have been taken up with Lt Governor Mr Manoj Sinha for appropriate action at the appropriate level. He hoped that the responsive administration will take earnest measures for mitigating their long standing problems.

The Union leaders sought the incentives for multifaceted duties the ASHA workers have been performing towards suffering people with the belief ‘service to humanity is service to God. They thanked Prime Minister Modi for his graciousness to start an incentive of Rs. 2000 from the Central Government but wanted the State Government to pitch in extra initiative for the work being undertaken by them to further the reach of the State Government initiatives and functions of MPW being performed by them.

Anita Rani, General Secretary of the Union  said the Union has been seeking government’s attention towards appointment of Female Multipurpose Health Workers from among the trained Asha workers, who have undergone courses in the government or the private institutions. They have also been demanding ‘ASHA Rooms’ in every health institution including the Primary Health Centres.

The other issues include payment of the actual travel expenses to the ASHA Workers who move around for performing their duties.