Source: The Sangai Express / I Ibobi Singh
Moreh, August 17:
Health workers engaged under the Jannani Suraksha Yojna (JSY) revolted when it came to light that authorities of the Moreh sub-division could not fork out monetary assistance earmarked for members of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA).
ASHA was set up to assist the Government in implementing the JSY programme that envisages monetary assistance of Rs 500 to mothers for delivery at home and Rs 700 for births in hospitals.
The controversy broke out when the ASHA members came to collect their entitlements only to be denied the beneficiary as Moreh DIO reportedly received only a meagre Rs 35,000 for a total of 284 ASHAs of Moreh town and Moreh/Khengjoy Block out of which More alone has 62 ASHA workers.
The JSy scheme covers the nine municipal wards of Moreh town and 97 villages in Moreh and Khengjoy Block.
According to the Moreh DIO Dr Nandakishore Rs 60,000 was sanctioned to Tengnoupal sub-centre in-charge Dr Nokul out of which the latter released Rs 35,000 for Moreh town.
As the said amount was impossible for impartial distribution to all the 284 ASHA members one each from the 62 ASHAs were short-listed for benefit today with the rest to be benefited in the next sanction, the DIO maintained.
However, section of the ASHA workers raised objection to the distribution modalities and insisted that payment be made at the same time as the slightest hint of biasness would demoralise the ASHAs.
On the otherhand, the Moreh DIO drew the attention of district authorities to ensure expeditious release of the remaining amount.
He further disclosed that Moreh had been deprived of benefit under the JSY programme for the last one and half year.