Shamini 
(C): Twitter
In an important welfare announcement ahead of the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has approved a significant pay increase for ASHA and Mamta workers – the backbone of the state’s rural healthcare system.
What has changed for ASHA and Mamta workers?
CM Nitish Kumar announced on social media on Wednesday that ASHA workers will now receive a tripled honorarium moving from ₹1,000 to ₹3,000 and also that the Mamta workers who help with births and maternal care will now receive ₹600 for each birth they assist with, increasing from the previous ₹300.
| Worker Category | Previous Incentive | New Incentive |
| ASHA Workers | ₹1,000/month | ₹3,000/month |
| Mamta Workers | ₹300/delivery | ₹600/delivery |
Why this hike now?
Nitish Kumar said the move is designed to acknowledge the “important role” of these frontline workers in strengthening healthcare services particularly in rural Bihar. He pointed out that since 2005, the state government has prioritized expansion of Rural Health Access and ASHA and Mamta workers have been essential to that effort.
Is this linked to the upcoming elections?
The increase comes with the Bihar Assembly elections due in October-November 2025 and follows a series of welfare initiatives.
These include:
- A new ₹15,000 monthly pension for certified journalists.
- 125 units of free domestic electricity.
- Establishment of a Sanitation Workers Welfare Commission.
- Domicile-based amendment to the 35 per cent women’s quota in state jobs.
The financial increase comes at a key political point and also improves morale and builds the rural health care delivery system in Bihar.
