Kerala's new government has increased the monthly honorarium for ASHA workers by Rs 3,000 following protests demanding better pay. The decision was made during the first Cabinet meeting, raising the honorarium to Rs 12,000. ASHA worker leaders have expressed gratitude while criticising the previous government's response to their demands.
A heated debate erupted in the Rajya Sabha over the ongoing strike by ASHA workers in Kerala, with Congress and CPI(M) MPs trading accusations over responsibility for addressing their demands for a higher honorarium and post-retirement benefits. Congress MP Jebi Mather alleged that both the Kerala government and the Union government had ignored the workers' pleas, while CPI(M) MP John Brittas countered by claiming Kerala provides the highest honorarium to ASHA workers. The debate also saw demands for an AIIMS in Kerala and a hike in MBBS seats, as well as concerns over maternal health, elderly care, and mental health in India.
Taking to Twitter, she shared a purported video of an alleged 'assault' by the police in Shahjahanpur on ASHA workers who wanted to meet Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with their demands.
Bharat Tiwari, a self-proclaimed social worker, was shot by an STF team after he surrendered near his Bilauti village but succumbed to injuries few hours later on June 17.
V D Satheesan was sworn in as Kerala's Chief Minister, with Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administering the oath of office. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by prominent political figures, including Congress leaders and Chief Ministers of Congress-ruled states.
An eight-year-old boy's timely intervention helped prevent the child marriage of his friend from Class 5, scheduled on the night of Akshaya Tritiya, highlighting both the persistence of the social evil and the strength of awareness among children.
A doctor in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, has been arrested and charged with culpable homicide after a 25-year-old woman died during a caesarean delivery at a private hospital. The arrest follows a complaint alleging negligence and extortion.
Former Kerala DGP R Sreelekha has been named as an accused in a case related to a BJP protest alleging assault on party workers in Vattiyoorkavu. The case stems from a protest led by BJP councillors outside the Vattiyoorkavu police station, where Sreelekha was seen chanting a derogatory slogan against the police.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has directed government school principals to ensure clean toilets, functional medical rooms, and proper maintenance of sanitary pad vending machines in schools, emphasising the importance of menstrual hygiene and awareness.
'The name Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata was given by the prime minister in 2025.'
The Congress party in Kerala has strongly criticised the state government's Public Relations Department (PRD) for publishing advertisements in major newspapers that highlight alleged shortcomings of the previous Oommen Chandy administration, accusing the government of misusing public funds for political gain ahead of upcoming elections.
It was a protest which held a mirror to the government of a state taking pride in its commitment to democracy, gender equality and social indices.One person, who in his employed days had known governments and political parties at close quarters, told me that public perception of how the Kerala government handled the ASHA workers' strike had been terrible, reports Shyam G Menon.
A water contamination outbreak in Indore has led to multiple deaths and illnesses. Health officials are conducting surveys and providing aid to affected residents.
A four-member Central Bureau of Investigation team, probing the multi-crore National Rural Health Mission scam, conducted raids at the district hospital in Ghazipur for the second consecutive day on Thursday and questioned Accredited Social Health Activists workers involved in the 'Safe Motherhood Programme'.
In terms of MLA salaries, Odisha is followed by Telangana (about Rs 2.7 lakh), Maharashtra (Rs 2.6 lakh), Manipur (Rs 2.5 lakh), and Uttar Pradesh (Rs 2.4 lakh).
The Congress-led UDF secured a decisive victory in Kerala's local body elections, dealing a blow to the LDF, while the BJP gained significant ground, including winning control of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.
Healthcare: Good news for all ASHA, anganwadi workers
Supreet Singh, filmmaker and co-founder of Red Dot Foundation, explains how the 4km long Infinite Saree is a larger campaign against all forms of sexual abuse, including marital rape.
'Poverty eradication is a continuous process. There is no full stop to it.'
Another populist decision of the government was the announcement of an unemployment allowance for the youth: Rs 1,000 per month for two years for graduates and those who have completed class 12 but remain unemployed.
'It was very clear in the Parliament election that there was an erosion of Hindu votes in southern Kerala from the CPI-M to the BJP.'
A string of welfare schemes and promises tests the state's budget, which is already heavily dependent on central support and spends little as capital outlay.
'Modi must see how we live, what we have to do to educate our children.'
The clinics are expected to operate for at least two hours daily, particularly between September and March -- the period when air pollution levels are typically high.
Left to its machinations, the BJP would have loved to cut Nitish down to size, but it can't afford to do so as the JD-U is in alliance with the BJP at the Centre, and cannot form a government on its own in Bihar. For now, both need each other: Nitish for legitimacy, the BJP for numbers, points out Ramesh Menon.
The Enforcement Directorate has also taken interest in the case and sought related documents and FIR copies from the local police, they added.
The body of a Congress worker was found stuffed inside a suitcase near the Sampla bus stand in Rohtak on Friday. The body of Himani Narwal was found in a big blue suitcase, following which the information regarding this was provided to the Sampla police station.
Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla confirmed that 20 children have died after consuming contaminated cough syrup. An investigation is underway, and action has been taken against the manufacturer, doctor, and FDA officials.
'We can't afford to fight each other.' 'We have to win the 2026 election.'
Over 25 crore workers across India are set to strike against new labour codes and privatisation, potentially disrupting banking, postal, and other essential services.
Nationalist Congress Party leader and Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar on Saturday didn't join his cabinet colleagues Devendra Fadnavis and Chief Minister Eknath Shinde in visiting the Nagpur-based memorial of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh founder.
On Ashaji's 89th birthday on September 8, Subhash K Jha revisits some of her lesser-known classics.
The minister added that many of the surviving children have lost their textbooks and certificates, among others, and the government will consider all these matters and help them after a discussion with the chief minister.
'He surprised us by telling us he wanted to make a career in acting.' 'We were scared since we knew nothing of this profession but then, he landed a role in Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding.' 'After seeing him holding his own on screen, we decided to let the boy pursue his passion.'
Despite facing financial constraints, Kerala has been able to invest in welfare schemes and targeted programmes.
Five vaccine candidates are in advanced stages of development in India, out of which four are in Phase II/III and one is in Phase-I/II trials.
The number of people who have died in the massive landslides that hit Wayanad district three days ago has gone up to 210, Kerala Tourism Minister P A Mohamed Riyas said on Friday.
Finance ministers of states demanded an increase in allocation under 50-year interest-free loan scheme, while fiscally stressed states like Punjab and Kerala pitched for a special package and borrowing flexibility, sources said on Friday. In a pre-budget meeting with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, states have also urged for higher borrowing limits to support fiscal activities, besides additional funds for Jal Jeevan Mission.
This was stated by Minister of State for Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey in the House in response to a question on the number of healthcare staff, including doctors, nurses and ASHA workers who have been affected died due to COVID-19.
As many as 190 people have died and over 200 injured in the massive landslides that hit Wayanad district two days ago, with the numbers expected to increase even more as rescuers unearth debris, the district administration said on Thursday.
