Hundreds of Punjab ASHA workers protested outside the Civil Surgeon’s office in Faridkot. They opposed the district administration’s order to assign them stubble-burning duties. The Punjab ASHA workers protest accused officials of forcing them to do work outside their health role.
Union leaders said ASHAs are part of the health system, not law enforcement. “We work for public health, not to patrol fields,” said a protest leader. Their main duties are maternal care, vaccination, and community health. Checking stubble burning, they said, risks their health and creates tension with farmers.
The government included both ASHA and Anganwadi workers in its “zero stubble burning” plan. They were told to create awareness and report farm fires. ASHA unions called this unfair and said it adds to their already heavy workload.
Workers said they have not received incentives for months. Each earns only ₹2,500–₹3,000 monthly. They warned that protests will spread across Punjab if the order isn’t withdrawn.
