Haryana

• 18 Feb 2022

Haryana Giving Highest Honorarium to ASHA Workers

Why in News

• On February 17, 2022, a spokesperson of the Haryana Government said that the Haryana Government is very serious about the legitimate demands of the ASHA workers, which are being considered sympathetically.

Key Points

• According to the spokesperson, the Haryana Government is providing better remuneration in various fields, which is highest in the country. In this series, the Haryana government is also on top in giving best remuneration to ASHA workers as compared to other states.
• The state government is giving the highest honorarium to the ASHA workers in the entire country from the state budget.
• At present, a total of 20,001 Asha workers are registered on the Asha Pay-App in Haryana, for whom there is a provision to give 'Performance Based Incentives only after doing various activities, as per the rules of the Government of India, under the National Health Mission.
• However, the Haryana Government has made a provision of Rs 154.45 crore for additional honorarium for ASHA workers from the state budget as follows:
  
  • Rs. 4000 monthly fixed honorarium
  • Additional honorarium of 50 percent of monthly amount earned on work-based basis under National Health Mission.
  • 750 additional honorarium for 7 core activities based on work.
  • Three lakh rupees for the financial assistance of the family after the death of ASHA.
• From March to November, 2021, 5033 (25.16 per cent) ASHA workers have been given honorarium above Rs 10,000 per month, out of which 38 ASHA workers have been given more than Rs 18,000 per month, 318 ASHA workers between Rs 18,000 and Rs 14,000 and 4677 ASHA workers have been given Rs 14,000 to Rs 10,000 per month.
• Similarly, the remaining 14968 ASHA workers have been given Rs 10000 to Rs 6000 per month, out of which the number of ASHA workers taking Rs 6000 per month is only 20 in the entire state.
• At the same time, the National Health Mission (Haryana) has been the first in the country to provide Asha workers with Android based smartphones CUG SIM with 30 GB data and unlimited talk-time. Haryana is the first state in the country to do so.
• It is noteworthy that ASHA workers provide health facilities to the people of the society, but there was no scheme for their health-welfare in the state, that is why the Haryana Government decided to give them the benefit of AB-PMJAY, under this Asha and her family members Facility to get treatment up to five lakh rupees per year will be made available in the registered hospitals by the Haryana government.

Supreme Court Quashes High Court's stay on 75 Percent Reservation in Private Sector

Why in News

• Recently, the Supreme Court quashed the order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court that stayed the law granting 75 per cent reservation to local people in the private sector.

Key Points

• Significantly, the Haryana government had filed a special leave petition in the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has asked the High Court to take a decision in this matter within a month and instruct the State Government not to take any coercive step against the employers during this period.
• On January 15, 2021, the Haryana Government had implemented the Haryana State Employment of Local Candidates Act, 2020. The law provides 75 per cent reservation in the private sector to job seekers who are 'residents of the state of Haryana'.
• After this, the High Court stayed this decision. Faridabad Industrial Association along with others had told the High Court that their employees are selected on the basis of merit. The High Court was told that if the companies are not able to choose the employees of their choice, then their business will be affected.
• It was argued on behalf of the petitioner in the High Court that if this decision of the government is implemented, then there will be anarchy regarding employment and deserving people will be deprived. The Punjab and Haryana High Court stayed this decision of the government. After this, the Haryana government challenged the decision of the High Court in the Supreme Court.
• Private companies, societies, trusts and partnership firms are also covered under this law and it also applies to jobs that provide a maximum gross monthly salary or wages up to Rs 30,000. The Central or State Governments or any organization owned by these Governments is outside the purview of the Act.