SHILLONG, Jan 7: Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) across Meghalaya have decided to go on an indefinite strike from January 8, demanding immediate release of long-pending incentives.

Addressing the media on Wednesday, Adviser of the ASHA Workers’ Union Sonny Kharjana said the decision was taken after repeated appeals to the state government failed to yield results. “We have taken a decision to suspend work until the government pays the incentives to the ASHAs in the whole state,” he stated.

The union had earlier set a December 19, 2025 deadline for clearing the dues, but payments remain pending. Kharjana expressed frustration over the prolonged delay, noting that ASHAs in several districts, including those attached to PHCs and CHCs, have not received incentives for the past five to ten months.

“At present, ASHAs are getting only Rs 150 to Rs 200 as incentives, which is extremely inadequate,” he said.

According to the National Health Mission (NHM), the delay is due to technical issues following the transition from the ASHA App to a new payment platform. However, the union said it has not received a clear explanation regarding the nature of the problem or a timeline for resolution.

There are more than 7,000 ASHA workers in Meghalaya. While the state government continues to pay the honorarium, incentives funded by the central government remain overdue, Kharjana added.

The proposed strike is expected to impact grassroots health services across the state if the issue is not resolved promptly.