Thiruvananthapuram: A committee tasked with studying the benefits for ASHA workers is reported to have recommended increasing the monthly honorarium and retirement benefits.

The report prepared by the committee, chaired by Haritha V Kumar, Director of the Women and Child Development Department, has been handed over to Minister Veena George. At present, the honorarium is ₹7,000. Reportedly, the new recommendation is to increase it by at least ₹3,000. More than ₹1 lakh should be given as retirement benefits.

Recently, the Centre had decided to increase the retirement benefit to ASHA workers who have put in a service of 10 years from the existing ₹20,000 to ₹50,000. The recommendation to increase benefits is also in view of this.

The High Court is considering the petition to resolve the indefinite strike of ASHA workers. When the court considered the petition the other day, the government pleader said that the committee report is likely to be received this week itself, and a decision will be taken without much delay. Accordingly, the case was postponed to September 19. Hence, a decision on the report is expected very shortly. The government is also mulling over announcing the increased benefits as an Onam gift.

The committee was appointed following the day-night strike launched by the Kerala ASHA Health Workers Association on February 10. Their key demands are ­- raising the honorarium to ₹21,000 and retirement benefits up to ₹5 lakhs. Minister Veena George had met the Association representatives on April 3, the 53rd day of the strike. The Minister had struck the position that an honorarium of ₹21,000 was not practical. The Association then called for an immediate raise by ₹3,000 and the appointment of a committee to study the possibility of raising it to ₹21,000. However, the government turned that demand down.