Gurpreet Singh :- Members of the ASHA Workers and Facilitators Union staged a protest at the District Courts Complex in Mansa, raising their pending demands and expressing strong resentment against the state government. The protesters raised slogans and called for immediate action to address their concerns.
Low Honorarium Sparks Discontent
The workers stated that they have been working for several years on a meagre monthly honorarium, alleging that their grievances have been repeatedly ignored. Despite multiple protests in the past, they claimed that assurances from authorities have not translated into any concrete action.
Allegations of Disparity with Neighbouring State
Highlighting disparity, the protesters pointed out that ASHA workers in Punjab receive around Rs 2,500 per month, whereas their counterparts in Haryana are paid nearly Rs 6,000. They termed this gap as unfair and demanded parity in wages.
Appointments Delayed Despite Qualification
The workers further stated that many of them had cleared a qualifying test conducted earlier for higher responsibilities, but appointment letters have yet to be issued. This, they said, has led to frustration and a sense of being misled.
Meetings with Ministers Yield No Result
The union alleged that meetings with concerned ministers failed to produce any meaningful outcome. They warned that if their demands are not addressed soon, the agitation would be intensified and expanded at the state level.
Court Work Affected Briefly
The protest temporarily disrupted routine functioning at the courts complex, though the situation remained under control with administrative monitoring. The workers said their next course of action would depend on the government’s response.
