State Secretary of Asha Karmi Union Expresses Disappointment with State Budget's Response to Workers' Needs

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, February 13, 2025, Kolkata : In response to the state budget presented by Minister of State for Finance, Chandrima Bhattacharya, on Wednesday, West Bengal Asha Karmi Union State Secretary, Ara Khatun, has voiced her dissatisfaction with the proposed measures. The budget outlined the allocation of Rs 200 crore for providing free smartphones to Asha Karmi and Anganwadi workers, a step that was welcomed initially. However, Khatun, who represents the union, expressed concerns that the announcement might not be enough to address the longstanding issues faced by these workers.

While the state government’s plan to distribute free smartphones to the workers was seen as a positive move, Khatun questioned whether it would be sufficient to meet the real needs of Asha Karmi and Anganwadi workers, especially with the upcoming assembly elections in view. “The demand for mobile phones has been our long-standing request, but we also sought reimbursement for the mobile recharge costs at the market rate,” she remarked, emphasizing that the proposed budget falls short in addressing the broader financial needs of the workers.

Khatun also raised concerns about the low compensation received by these workers, who are entrusted with a wide range of responsibilities, from health-related tasks to more manual labor, including maintaining the cleanliness of their workspaces. While the state budget proposed a 4% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) for government employees, Khatun pointed out that no similar promises were made for Asha Karmi and Anganwadi workers, who play a crucial role in public health and welfare but receive minimal respect and pay for their efforts.

She stressed the importance of recognizing the nature of the work these workers do, which extends beyond administrative tasks to vital public service. "The amount given to us is very little. But today, ASHA workers are busy with many important tasks," Khatun stated, making it clear that the allocation for smartphones alone would not be enough to improve the working conditions or financial situation of these dedicated workers.

As the state budget is scrutinized by various groups, it remains to be seen whether the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee-led government will respond to these concerns before the upcoming elections.