Hyderabad: Hundreds of ASHA workers protested at Indira Park on Monday, demanding fixed salaries and accountability from the Congress government for unfulfilled election promises. Former Health Minister and BRS legislator T. Harish Rao joined the protest and sharply criticised the administration.
Harish Rao blames CM for failed commitments
Addressing the gathering, Harish Rao accused Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy of betraying ASHA workers. He said the Congress had promised fixed salaries during its campaign but failed to act after coming to power.
“You’re not asking for charity. You’re demanding what was promised. This is about integrity,” he told the workers. He also condemned the police action taken against ASHA workers who had gathered earlier at the Directorate of Medical Education in Koti, calling it suppression of democratic dissent.
Congress spending questioned amid worker neglect
Rao alleged that the government cited financial limitations when denying support to ASHA, Anganwadi, and midday meal workers. Yet, he pointed out, it had approved large-scale contracts worth thousands of crores. He listed recent tenders: ₹10,000 crore in irrigation, ₹10,000 crore in HMDA, ₹6,000 crore in GHMC, and ₹4,000 crore in HMWSSB.
He also criticised a planned ₹6,000 crore pipeline project to bring Godavari water to Hyderabad. “There’s no money for frontline health workers, but there’s unlimited funding for favoured projects,” he said.
Allegations of favouritism and neglect
Rao accused the government of prioritising real estate interests. He cited a six-lane road proposal under the “Future City” project, which he claimed would benefit associates of the Chief Minister.
He further noted that despite having two women ministers, the government continued to ignore the issues faced by ASHA and Anganwadi workers. “During COVID, we raised ASHA salaries from ₹2,200 to ₹10,000 and ensured regular payments. Today, even basic medicines like Telma tablets are missing in rural areas,” he said.
Warning ahead of elections
Rao warned the Congress of a political backlash if the demands of ASHA workers are not met before the upcoming local body polls. “Call them, talk to them, fulfil your promise or be ready to face their anger at the ballot,” he said. He added that the BRS would block Assembly sessions if the government fails to respond.
Finally, he criticised the overall state of sanitation and health infrastructure. “Uncollected garbage, no bleaching powder, rising fevers, empty hospitals—Revanth Reddy has failed the people of this state,” he declared.
