Harish Rao Criticizes Government for Breaking Promise to ASHA Workers

Quick Summary

• BRS leader T. Harish Rao criticized Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy for not fulfilling promises made to ASHA workers in the election manifesto, particularly regarding fixed monthly pay.
• Harish Rao spoke at a protest organized by ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers in Hyderabad, demanding resolution of their long-standing demands before local body elections.
• He accused the state goverment of prioritizing large-scale projects with significant expenditure while neglecting fixed pay commitments to ASHA workers.

– Examples of expenditure cited: ₹6,000 crore for Godavari water project as part of riverfront beautification, ₹4,000 crore on sewerage treatment plants (STPs), tenders worth ₹10,000 crore for irrigation works and another ₹6,000 crore tender issued by GHMC.
– Allegation that these funds were spent primarily for commissions and contracts rather then addressing worker demands.

• Claims were made about arrests and restrictions imposed on students at Osmania University ahead of a building inauguration tied to BRS-era projects.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The central issue highlighted is the discontent among ASHA workers over unfulfilled election promises concerning fixed salaries-a longstanding demand impacting labor rights and social welfare. while criticism from T. Harish Rao seeks accountability from the current regime under Chief Minister revanth Reddy, it also underscores broader governance challenges around fiscal priorities.

The allocation of substantial funds toward urban infrastructure projects like riverfront beautification may hold merit in transforming public spaces but risks overshadowing essential labor welfare concerns-potentially affecting citizen trust in government assurances. The arrest reports surrounding campus protests add another dimension reflecting tensions between civic freedoms and administrative protocols during high-profile political visits.

Resolving worker grievances effectively could not only address equity issues but also serve as an critically important litmus test for policy credibility ahead of local body elections.

Read More: The Hindu