Andhra Pradesh government approves gratuity, maternity leave, and higher retirement age for ASHAs

In line with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s announcement in March this year, the Andhra Pradesh government on Tuesday, August 12, approved key welfare measures for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) — including gratuity, paid maternity leave, and an increase in their retirement age.

According to an official press release from the Department of Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, the government will provide gratuity of up to ₹5,000 per year, amounting to a total of ₹1.5 lakh at the time of retirement. With around 43,000 ASHAs in the State, the annual outlay for gratuity will amount to ₹645 crore.

The government has also sanctioned six months of paid maternity leave for the first two deliveries and increased the retirement age for ASHAs from 60 to 62 years — addressing long-standing demands that had led to State-wide protests towards the end of 2023.

Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare Minister Satya Kumar Yadav thanked the Chief Minister for sanctioning the gratuity funds despite the State’s financial challenges, noting that the decision reflects a strong commitment to the welfare of ASHA workers.