ASHA workers not to take part in socio-educational survey work over unfair remuneration, unpaid dues
Bengaluru: ASHA workers across Karnataka have reportedly refused to participate in the ongoing Social and Educational Survey (caste census) being conducted by the State Backward Classes Commission, citing the government’s failure to ensure fair pay and settle previous dues for similar work.
The Karnataka Rajya Samyukta ASHA Karyakartheyara Sangha, affiliated with the All-India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), said that although Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had announced ASHA workers would distribute survey forms door-to-door, no official communication has been made regarding their honorarium, as reported by The Hindu.
D. Nagalakshmi, State Secretary of the Sangha, said reports suggested each ASHA worker would be paid Rs 2,000 for distributing forms, guiding families through 60 survey questions, verifying documents, correcting errors, and uploading the data to a mobile app.
“However, ASHA workers have repeatedly been denied compensation for such additional duties. Even during earlier government surveys, including those for the State’s guarantee schemes, promised payments of Rs 1,000 were never disbursed,” The Hindu quoted Nagalakshmi as saying.
She further pointed out that despite the State’s promise of a Rs 10,000 monthly honorarium from April 1, ASHA workers have not received any increase, unlike Anganwadi and mid-day meal workers, who saw a Rs 1,000 hike.
K. Somashekar Yadgiri, State President of the Sangha, argued that the additional workload not only disrupts ASHAs’ regular incentive-based earnings but also imposes financial burdens. “This is additional work. It is only fair that rural ASHA workers are paid Rs 5,000 and urban ASHA workers, who cover more households, are paid at least Rs 10,000,” The Hindu quoted him as saying.
He asserted that ASHA workers will not take part in the upcoming survey unless the government issues a clear order regarding their remuneration.
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Karnataka, France explore deeper ties in AI, aerospace, defence manufacturing
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government and France on Tuesday discussed expanding collaboration to strengthen technology infrastructure and development, artificial intelligence, and defence manufacturing.
Karnataka Information Technology and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge met Anne Le Hénaff, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs, Government of France, in Bengaluru.
The meeting focused on expanding collaboration in innovation, skilling, AI, aerospace and defence manufacturing, startup ecosystems and digital governance, with both sides expressing strong interest in building long-term, structured partnerships between Karnataka and France, according to a statement issued by Kharge’s office.
France highlighted its growing need for skilled engineers and technology professionals and expressed interest in partnering with Karnataka on structured talent development and skilling in emerging technologies, the statement said.
“The discussions built on the strong foundation of Indo-French collaboration in areas such as aerospace, animation and emerging technologies, including earlier engagements through Centres of Excellence, academic partnerships and startup exchange programmes,” it said.
The two sides also reviewed ongoing engagement with French innovation ecosystems and institutions, including incubation and innovation platforms in Paris.
Kharge outlined Karnataka’s vision to create dedicated innovation, skills and manufacturing corridors with global partners, particularly in the context of the Indo-French Year of Innovation.
He highlighted the state’s proposal to strengthen engagement through the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) and to establish a physical institutional platform in Karnataka to support French startups, SMEs and MSMEs seeking market access, R&D collaboration and a long-term presence in India.
“A couple of areas where we can move quickly and decisively are skills, innovation and advanced manufacturing. We can work towards a skills corridor focused on emerging technologies, an innovation corridor linking our Centres of Excellence, incubators and research institutions, and a stronger partnership in aerospace and defence supply chains,” Kharge said.
“Bengaluru can be a gateway for French companies entering India, and Paris can be a gateway for our startups entering France and the European Union,” he added.
Hénaff said France’s approach to AI is guided by three priorities: building sustainable AI, ensuring AI serves the public interest, and strengthening the protection of children in the digital world.
“As we deepen our cooperation with Karnataka, we see strong opportunities to work together on responsible, trustworthy and inclusive AI by combining innovation, regulation and public policy to ensure technology benefits society while safeguarding our values,” she said.
