Salient points of the press conference of BJP National Secretary & Spokesperson Shri Anil Antony

Salient Points of Press Conference of BJP National Secretary and National Spokesperson Shri Anil K. Antony

Failure to pay salaries to 26,000 ASHA workers under the National Health Mission in Kerala highlights the inefficiency and mismanagement of the CPI (M)-led state government

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Due to its administrative failures, the Kerala government has been unable to pay ASHA health workers' salaries and is trying to shift the blame onto the central government

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In pursuance of commitment of compliance made by State of Kerala, an amount of Rs. 938.80 Cr (Cash, kind and Infrastructure Maintenance) has been released to State of Kerala out of central allocation of Rs. 913.24 Cr for FY 2024-25.  

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The latest and fifth installment of Rs. 120.45 Cr has been released to the State on 12.02.2025 which is over and above the Central allocation earmarked for the State for the FY 2024-25. 

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Under Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji’s vision of ‘Swasth Bharat’ and ‘Viksit Bharat,’ the central government has provided Kerala with more than its allocated funds, ensuring progress for 140 crore Indians

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This serves as a clear message to the people of Kerala that achieving ‘Viksit Kerala’ and ensuring the state’s overall development requires a double-engine government

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Bharatiya Janata Party National Secretary & National Spokesperson Shri Anil K. Antony addressed a press conference at the party's central office on Saturday. During the conference, Shri Antony highlighted that around 26,000 ASHA workers in Kerala are striking due to unpaid salaries for 2 to 6 months. He criticised the Kerala government for blaming the central government and accused the state government of administrative inefficiencies and mismanagement, asserting that the funds provided exceeded the central allocation.

Shri Antony highlighted that nearly 26,000 ASHA workers under the National Health Mission in Kerala are staging a series of strikes due to unpaid salaries for 2 to 6 months. Around 26,000 ASHA workers have been denied their wages for a period ranging from 2-6 months. Kerala’s Health Minister Veena George has recently issued a statement and once again attempted to divert attention from the state’s inefficiencies and governmental failures by trying to blame the central government.

Shri Antony emphasized that the Kerala government claims that pending dues from the central government are responsible for the strikes and delayed payments. However, the Bharatiya Janata Party seeks to clarify the situation. As per the Department of Expenditure guidelines, all States and Union Territories must follow the special assistance scheme for capital expenditure. A statewide letter issued by the Kerala government on June 26, 2024, stated that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in Kerala would comply with the Government of India's guidelines for Ayushman Aarogya Mandir, formerly known as Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centers.

BJP National Secretary Shri Antony stated that in pursuance of commitment of compliance made by State of Kerala, an amount of Rs. 938.80 Cr (Cash, kind and Infrastructure Maintenance) has been released to State of Kerala out of allocation of Rs. 913.24 Cr for FY 2024-25. The latest installment of Rs. 120.45 Cr has been released to the State on 12.02.2025 which is over and above the Central allocation earmarked for the State for the FY 2024-25.  The amount due to Kerala as per allocation has been released in the form of four installments in Cash and an additional fifth installment of Rs 120.45 Cr has been released to the State to clear past dues. In alignment with Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi Ji's vision of a ‘Swasth Bharat’ and a ‘Viksit Bharat’, and his commitment to ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas’, the Central Government has ensured that all 140 crore Indians move forward together towards a prosperous future. As part of this vision, Kerala has received allocations from the Central Government that exceed the earmarked amounts.

Shri Antony highlighted that over ₹913 crores have been released in four instalments, with a fifth instalment of ₹120 crores designated for clearing past dues. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has already provided these funds. It is disappointing to see the Kerala state government, due to its administrative inefficiencies and failures, attempt to shift the focus away from its shortcomings and the inability to pay dues and salaries to ASHA health workers, by blaming the Central Government. This serves as a clear message to the people of Kerala that for the state to progress and achieve a ‘Viksit Kerala, it is essential to have a double-engine government in place.

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