Irrespective of who is in power, be it the Congress or the BJP, the plight of ASHA workers like Sahu, Devi, and Parvati remains the same in Assam over the years. ASHA, ANMs, and Anganwadi workers fall in the blindspot of all the parties in terms of the manifesto, poll promises, or actual work on the ground. That these workers have the potential to swing an election in any direction is also being grossly neglected by the parties especially the overconfident trumpeter, BJP.

An ASHA worker from Uttar Bhatnapaity Char Village in Barpeta,  Karimon Nissa, reflecting on the situation of ASHA workers said, “While leaving for work my son stares at me and asks if I can give him some money. I lie, make excuses and leave. But I do not know how I will manage once he grows older and begins his education. I feel terrible that nothing has been done for us at a time when we are expected to do a lot for others.”

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A teacher of an Anganwadi centre in Golaghat’s Fetagaon, Jasmine, speaks of the importance of the ‘AAA triangle‘ workers, especially during COVID19, stating, “We have informed so many people about government policies and special schemes they can avail of during the COVID-19 pandemic.” She further added, “They have started relying on us. They ask us about how to apply for Aadhaar, how to enrol in the Orunodoi Scheme.”

But the situation at her ASHA centre is not conducive to the wellbeing of the ASHA workers. There is an absence of facilities like Hand-pump or basic amenities like toilet for the ASHA employees.

Jasmine said, “We had no handpump at our Anganwadi centre. We applied but did not get one. Later, we arranged for one at our own expense. There was no help from the government. Even today, the centre does not have a toilet. We avoid relieving ourselves during the hours we are at the centre. And if there is emergency, we go to one of the homes in our neighbourhood.”

With the public perceiving them as one of the most reliable bridges to government, these healthcare workers could potentially swing the election either way. But, they do not even get the basic facilities apart from having meagre salary.

While Modi and Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma loud-mouth about the BJP’s efforts at combating the COVID-19 pandemic in election speeches, ASHA workers, ANMs and Anganwadi workers found no mention in the party’s manifesto. For BJP, such workers seem to fall in the category of expendable lives.  Similar is the case with the Congress and the other regional political parties in Assam.

But it is the BJP-led government that, by dint of being in power, has drawn their ire, most recently in January, when these frontline health workers demanded an increase in wages, clearance of arrears and most importantly, the status of a permanent worker under the National Health Mission (NHM).

One of the  ASHA workers, who did not wish to be named, learnt that she was pregnant just a week before the lockdown. All the efforts regarding making sure that she received adequate nutrition and applying for the Matri Vandana Yojana happened in her home with the help of fellow ASHA and Anganwadi Workers.

She stated, “I got a good amount of money thanks to the government schemes. My husband thought of buying a second-hand motorcycle, but the ASHA workers convinced him to prioritize my health instead. Both the baby and I are healthy because of Parvati.”

State president of the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU),  Tapan Sarma reflects on the status of these workers. “It is very unfortunate that the women who implement the government’s policies on the ground are treated this way. Their salaries are meagre. An ASHA worker, who does so much gets just Rs 3,300 per month. Compare that to a cook for the Mid-day meal scheme who gets Rs 1,000 per month.”

Sarma further added, “These ASHA workers are on the job around the clock. Even if a call comes at midnight, especially from pregnant women, they do not hesitate. And the BJP, which keeps speaking about its determination to improve things for the poor, has not stepped up for these workers. They have no medical benefits, no emergency funds, no retirement benefits. They deserve a minimum wage, social security, and medical benefits and our union has been demanding these.”

An ASHA worker from Mandiya block in Barpeta District said that healthcare workers have started thinking of their job as social service and not expecting anything in return. Thus, with their expectations practically non-existent, they do not really think about which political party benefits from their efforts or who comes to power in the election. “Forget being solved, our concerns are not even talked about,” she said.