Andhra CM Jagan Reddy Hikes Asha Workers’ Salary to Rs 10,000

Reddy, who took oath as CM on 30 May, made the announcement at a review meeting at the health department.

Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Jagan Mohan Reddy.

(Photo: PTI)

Fulfilling another poll promise, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday, 3 June announced a hike in the salaries of Asha workers to Rs 10,000 from the current Rs 3,000.

Reddy, who took oath as chief minister on Thursday, 30 May, made the announcement at a review meeting at the health department.

During the election campaign, YSR Congress Party had promised to increase the salaries of Accredited Social Health Activist (Asha) workers.

Jagan is popularly known to be adamant on revamping the medical and health department to improve health facilities in government hospitals.

He said that, as promised in YSRCP manifesto, the government would restore the past glory of 108 ambulance services introduced during former Chief Minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy’s regime.

Jagan also formed a committee to revamp the medical and health department and asked the panel to submit the report in 45 days.

46-year-old Reddy, on Thursday, had taken oath as the chief minister at a public ceremony held in Vijayawada.

Though Reddy had personally telephoned former chief minister and Telugu Desam Party (TDP ) President N Chandrababu Naidu to invite him to attend the swearing-in ceremony, the TDP chief stayed away.

No TDP leader attended the ceremony held at Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium.

The YSRCP stormed to power last week, winning 151 seats in the 175-member state Assembly.

(With inputs from IANS)