Port Blair: ASHA workers in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are set to receive a higher monthly incentive from the National Health Mission (NHM), with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, approving an increase from ₹2,000 to ₹5,000 per month as a special case for the Islands.
The development was communicated by the Andaman & Nicobar Union Territory Health Mission in a point-wise response to a representation made by the Hon’ble Member of Parliament, A&N Islands, Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, through his letter dated 22 July 2026.
According to the Health Mission's response, the enhancement was approved through the Records of Proceedings (RoP) received from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The approval was cited as a special case considering the geographical location, low population density and disease burden of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
₹5,000 NHM incentive approved
The Health Mission stated that necessary correspondence for releasing the enhanced ₹5,000 monthly NHM incentive for June 2026, along with the remaining incentives for the period from April to June 2026, was in process and would be released at the earliest.
This means the document records an approved enhancement of the NHM component; it does not state that the payments had already been credited to all ASHA workers at the time of the response.
Administration processing additional ₹3,500 share
The response also addresses a separate component of the ASHA incentive.
The Administration's share, which was stated as ₹500 per month, is proposed to be increased to ₹3,500 per month from the State Health Budget of the A&N Administration.
However, unlike the ₹5,000 NHM enhancement, this increase was still under process for approval by the competent authority of the A&N Administration at the time of the letter.
If the proposed ₹3,500 enhancement is approved and implemented, the two components would together amount to ₹8,500 per month. However, the document does not state that ₹8,500 has already been approved as the final monthly incentive.
Air Ambulance proposal under examination
The Health Mission's response also addressed the issue of Air Ambulance Services in the Islands.
It stated that an alternative funding mechanism was being explored because the service was not covered under NHM funding for FY 2026-27.
The response further said that, following directions of the Lieutenant Governor, A&N Islands, a proposal for providing Air Ambulance Services using Defence aircraft was under examination by the A&N Administration.
Action follows MP's representation
The Health Mission's letter was issued in response to MP Bishnu Pada Ray's representation of 22 July 2026 addressed to the Chief Secretary, seeking action on the enhancement of ASHA incentives and operationalisation of Air Ambulance Services.
The communication was issued from the Office of the State Health Society (A&N Islands) and signed by the Joint Mission Director, UT Health Mission.
The letter was also marked to senior officials including the Chief Secretary, Commissioner-cum-Secretary (Health), Secretary (Health)/Mission Director-UTHM and Director of Health Services for information.
What has been approved and what remains pending
The document establishes three separate positions:
| Issue | Status according to Health Mission |
|---|---|
| NHM ASHA incentive: ₹2,000 → ₹5,000 | Approved by MoHFW as a special case |
| Release of April–June 2026 incentives | Process underway |
| Administration's share: ₹500 → ₹3,500 | Awaiting competent authority approval |
| Air Ambulance through Defence aircraft | Proposal under examination |
The development could provide a significant increase in financial support for ASHA workers if both incentive components are ultimately implemented as proposed.
Editorial Note: This report is based on the official Health Mission communication