Affecting a substantial increase in the wage of Punjab’s as many as 22,000 ASHA workers and 42,205 mid-day meal (MDM) workers on the New Year eve, apparently, with an eye on elections, Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday said that ASHA and MDM workers will now get a fixed monthly allowance of Rs 2500 and Rs 3000, respectively, from January 1, next year.
Channi, giving a much-awaited bonanza of Rs 124.25 crore for ASHA and MDM workers, Channi said that the Rs 2500 monthly allowance for ASHA workers, against the earlier amount they receive on the basis of incentives, would cost the state exchequer Rs 60 crore.
“ASHA workers would now also be entitled for the facility of cashless health insurance scheme up to Rs five lakhs which would be done by the State Government free of cost so as to cover them against the probable risk of inflicting any infectious disease while performing their duties,” he said.
Similarly, in a major relief to the Mid Day Meal workers, working in 19,700 government or aided schools across the State, Channi announced to enhance their fixed allowance from Rs 2200 to Rs 3000 per month — entailing an expenditure of Rs 64.25 crore on the state exchequer.
Besides, the Chief Minister also announced that all ASHA workers and Mid-Day Meal workers, working across the State, would now be entitled for full maternity leave on the pattern of other women government employees on regular basis.
“All the ASHA workers and Mid Day Meal workers would now get the hiked fixed allowance from January 1, 2022, and in future, they would be getting these allowances for 12 months instead of 10 months earlier,” he added.
Channi, addressing a public rally predominantly comprising ASHA and Mid-Day Meal workers, listed major initiatives of his government taken for the empowerment of women. He said that 33 pecrent reservation for women in government jobs, 50 percent reservation in PRIs and ULBs and free travel bus facility are in league with the women-friendly decisions announced today for ASHA and Mid Day Meal workers.
Taking a dig at AAP which has promised Rs 1,000 monthly pension for women in Punjab after winning the election, Channi said that it was a farce as women needed empowerment and Congress was working in this direction and 33 per cent government jobs and 50 percent seats in civic bodies, block samitis, and sarpanches have been reserved for them.
Putting his claim as the next Chief Minister of the state apparently, Channi also appealed to people from stage to give a chance to form the next government. “AAP leaders have been enticing the electorate by stating that after trying SAD and Congress, the people of state must give a chance to them to form government in Punjab,” he said while appealing to the people, “You have tried Badals as well as Captain, now give a chance to us”.
BANK UPON DEVELOPMENT ERA USHERED IN BY CONG GOVT, SAYS CHANNI
Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Thursday exhorted the people to bank upon the developmental era ushered in by Congress-led State Government and opt for the Government that stood by the people through thick and thin.
Channi, addressing a gathering in Rampura of Bathinda district, announced Rs 10 crores grant for the overall development of Rampura Phul assembly constituency. Besides, fulfilling the long pending demand of the public, Channi also announced upgradation of Civil Hospital-Rampura and laid foundation stone for Rampura city flyover which will ease the entire city traffic. The flyover will be built between Railway station and Geeta Bhawan Road at a cost of Rs 63.55 crores.
Terming his Delhi counterpart Arvind Kejriwal as an outsider, Channi said that the people of Punjab were wise enough to choose Punjabi to run the State rather than giving a chance to an outsider. “People have already seen the functioning of Capt Amarinder and the Badal clan, but the time is now to vote for a government that believes in maintaining peace, harmony, and developing Punjab as per their aspirations,” he said.
