ASHA workers flay govt, court arrest

Tribune Reporters

Ambala, June 15

A large number of ASHA workers on Friday protested outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Ambala City and offered court arrest in support of their long-pending demands. The agitating workers gathered at the city park and took out a protest march. They raised slogans against the state government and reached the DC office.

As per information, nearly 300 workers courted arrest and were taken to the police lines ground where they were released later. Roadways buses and mini-buses were arranged for the protesting workers. 

Meanwhile, a few ASHA workers fell ill due to the hot weather conditions and were taken to the Civil Hospital in Ambala City.

Anju Verma, district president of the ASHA Workers’ Union, said: “The state government has agreed to our demands, including enhancing honorarium, but has not implemented it. There is a lot of difference between the agreement and the notification issued. There are nearly 22,000 ASHA workers who are on strike. The government on the other hand claims that it has fulfilled our demands. We demand a meeting with the Chief Minister.”

The Sarva Karamchari Sangh has extended its support to ASHA workers. The sangh has threatened to stage a 24-hour dharna at the Chief Minister’s residence in Karnal on June 22. 

The government employees under the banner of the Sarva Karmchari Sangh will offer court arrest on June 28 and if their demands are not met, they will move towards the Haryana Assembly.

Abhay warns of bigger stir

Sonepat: Abhay Singh Chautala, Leader of Opposition in Haryana Assembly and senior Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader, on Friday blamed the BJP at the Centre and in the state for finding lame excuses to delay the completion of canals required for bringing water to Haryana fields.

He was addressing a gathering of participants for the Jail Bharo Andolan launched by the INLD and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) here at the new anaj mandi. 

Prakash Bharati, state president of the BSP, lambasted the state government for increasing atrocities against Dalit women and alleged that instead of controlling crime against Dalits, the state government pursued hypocritical policy of having food at Dalit homes. 

‘Khattar govt anti-women’

Panipat: ASHA workers’ union affiliated to CITU and supported by Sarva Karamchari Sangh courted mass arrest in support of the state-level ‘Jail Bharo Andolan’ at the Mini-Secretariat on Friday. They gathered at the general hospital complex and staged a dharna at the Civil Surgeon office for the consecutive ninth day. 

No drinking water for protesters

Kaithal: Over 750 ASHA workers courted arrest and were taken to a temporary Jail at the Jat school ground. They were not provided with drinking water which further agitated the workers and they came out on roads and disrupted traffic. DSP Ram Kumar reached the spot and persuaded the protesters. All were taken in to custody and were released later. The officials of the administration, including DSP and Tehsildar Ravinder Malik, asked workers to go to a temporary Jail set up at the Jat school ground, but the workers were adamant on going to the district jail or police lines. 

Fix Rs 18,000 as minimum wages

Karnal: ASHA workers courted arrest in front of the Mini-Secretariat on Friday. They are demanding same work, same wages scheme or fix Rs 18,000 as their minimum wages till the implementation of the scheme. Sudesh Rana, district president of the Karnal ASHA workers’ union, criticised the government for ignoring their demands. “The government has even failed to fulfil its poll promises. The February 1 meeting with the Health Minister and officials of the department regarding the enhancement of their wages, have also not been implemented,” she said. “We are demanding to fix Rs 18,000 as our minimum wages and the government should fulfil it,” she said.