32 ASHA workers in Ghugus hold rally over 12 months of unpaid Covid incentive

Ghugus, Chandrapur: The 32 ASHA volunteers of Ghugus who worked during the Covid-19 pandemic have still not received 12 months of their incentive allowance. In protest, they took out a large public outrage rally on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. The rally was part of an indefinite sit-in that has been going on for the past six days. The volunteers demonstrated forcefully in support of their demands.

The agitating ASHA volunteers say that during the difficult period of the pandemic they served people without regard for their lives or health. Despite this, they have had to struggle for their allowance for several years. The Ghugus Municipal Council has deposited the money for a few months into their accounts, but they claim that 12 months of payment is still pending.

The rally began at the Weekly Market Rangmanch. It then passed through Tilak Nagar, No. 2/Pola Maidan, Gandhi Chowk, Bank of India and the bus station to reach the Ghugus Municipal Council office. Returning from there, the rally ended at the protest site. Along the way the volunteers shouted slogans in support of their demands. They also raised slogans against the council president, the vice-president and the chief officer, and expressed strong displeasure with the administration.

The protesters say that even at a festival time such as Diwali, the women have had to agitate for money that is rightfully theirs. Despite handling many responsibilities at home, the ASHA volunteers remain at the protest site until their demands are met. They demanded that the administration take the matter seriously and decide at the earliest.

The protesters said plainly that the ASHA volunteers served the public during the coronavirus pandemic, and that it is now the administration's responsibility to pay their remaining incentive allowance. They demand that only verbal assurances not be given, and that the full 12 months of arrears be deposited in their accounts immediately. They also warned that the agitation will not be withdrawn until the demand is met.

The agitation was guided by Suresh Malhari Paikrao and Rita Phakru Deshkar. All 32 ASHA volunteers of Ghugus took part in the rally. Demanding immediate payment of the 12-month Covid incentive allowance, they announced that their struggle will continue until they get justice.