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

Thirty-two ASHA volunteers took out a "jan aakrosh" (public anger) rally in Ghugus town of Chandrapur district on November 10, 2026. They are demanding that the Covid-19 incentive allowance, pending for 12 months, be paid to them soon. The women have been on an indefinite sit-in for the past six days. The rally was held to draw the administration's attention, and public anger was evident during it.

The protesting women say the Ghugus Municipal Council had earlier deposited the amount for a few months in their accounts, but the amount for 12 months is still outstanding. During the difficult period of the coronavirus pandemic, these ASHA volunteers worked day and night without regard for their own lives. Now they have had to take to the streets for money that is rightfully theirs, at a festival time such as Diwali. Citizens have also expressed regret over this.

The rally began in the afternoon from the weekly market stage. It passed through Tilak Nagar, the No. 2 Pola ground, Gandhi Chowk, Bank of India and the bus stop before reaching the Ghugus Municipal Council. From there the women returned to the sit-in site. Along the way the ASHA volunteers raised loud slogans in support of their just demands.

They shouted "murdabad" slogans specifically against the Ghugus Municipal Council's president, vice-president and chief officer. They expressed strong displeasure at the administration's evasive attitude. Many of the women, while managing their household responsibilities, have stayed put at the sit-in for six days over the pending allowance.

The protesters demanded that the administration not give mere verbal assurances but take a firm decision and deposit the 12 months' pending amount in their accounts immediately. They warned clearly that the agitation will not be withdrawn until their demands are met.

The agitation is being led by office-bearers of the Azad Samaj Party. It was held under the leadership and guidance of the party's Vidarbha secretary Sureshbhau Malhari Paikrao and Chandrapur district general secretary Ritatai Fakru Deshkar. The 32 ASHA volunteers of Ghugus took part in large numbers.