Modi’s gift to ASHA beneficiaries; approves pay package, see full list of what you get

The package entails an expenditure (Central funding) to Rs 1224.97 crore for two years 2018-19 and 2019-20.

Representational Image: Photo: IANS

In a major good news to ASHAs and ASHA facilitators, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to ASHA Benefit Package with effect from October 2018. The package entails an expenditure (Central funding) to Rs 1224.97 crore for two years 2018-19 and 2019-20. However, the benefit will be paid from November 2018. The payment will be divided in two components.

Firstly ASHAs and ASHA facilitators meeting the eligibility criteria to be enrolled in social security schemes implemented by Government of India namely, the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha BimaYojana.

Secondly an increase in the amount of routine and recurring incentives under National Health Mission for ASHAs under NHM from Rs 1000 per month to Rs 2000 per month.

Here’s what you are going to get if you are a ASHAS and ASHA facilitators.

Rs 2 Lakh in case of death due to accident
Rs 2 Lakh in case of total and irrecoverable loss of both eyes or loss of use of both hands or feet or loss of sight of one eye and loss of use of one hand or one foot
Rs 1 Lakh in case of total and irrecoverable loss of sight of one eye or loss of use of one hand or one foot

The eligibility criteria are 18-70 years. Cover is for one-year period stretching from 1st June to 31st May.

Further, annual premium of Rs 12 per beneficiary will be paid by Central Government.

ASHAs and ASHA Facilitators covered under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (Accident insurance), will get premium of Rs 330 (average) by the government. Cover is for one-year period stretching from 1st June to 31st May and benefit is Rs 2 Lakh in case of death due to any cause.

With this new pay package, the government encourages citizens to opt for the benefit, hence, it expects the beneficiaries count to rise ahead.

An estimated 1,06,36,701 ASHAS and ASHA facilitators to be covered under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana.

While about 9,57,303 ASHAS and ASHA facilitators are estimated to be covered under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha BimaYojana. Going ahead, around 10,22,265 ASHAs are seen to get at least minimum of Rs 2000 per month from current Rs1000 for routine activities.

From the above, the government targets 65 % of ASHAs and ASHA facilitators to be enrolled in social security schemes implemented by government under the above mentioned yojanas by end of March 2019. This target is expected to go 100% of ASHAs and ASHA facilitators by October 2019.

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