Kerala High Court Closes PIL Seeking Increase In Honorarium Of ASHA Workers As State Informs Of ₹1000 Hike

The division bench comprising Chief Justice Nitin Jamdar and Justice Syam Kumar V M, closed the writ petition on being informed by the State Attorney that the monthly honorarium has been increased by Rs. 1000/- from November 1, 2025.

A Committee headed by the Director of the Department of Women and Child Development, was constituted pursuant to a meeting held on 3 April 2025, presided over by the Minister for Health, which comprehensively examined the demands of the trade unions of ASHA Workers.

When the matter was taken up today, the State Attorney informed the Court that the Committee's report had been implemented by increasing the honorarium from Rs. 7000/- to Rs. 8000/- with effect from 1 November, 2025.

“In view of the above position pointed out to us, according to us it is not necessary for us to keep these petitions pending. If there are any other grievances of these workers, either individually or through their Trade Unions, they can always seek recourse in the competent court of law in that regard. With these clarifications and observations, the public interest litigation is closed.” the bench observed.

The court while disposing of the petitions noted that the petitions were not filed by registered Unions who are representing the cause of ASHA workers. The registered Unions joined the petition pursuant to the Court's direction.

A section of ASHA workers have been on a strike in front of the Secretariat, demanding better remuneration for the past eight months. 

Case Title: Public Eye Trust Rep. By its General Secretary v State of Kerala & Ors. and connected case

Case No: WP(PIL) 18/ 2025

Citation: 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 707

Counsel for Petitioner: C J Joy, Valsamma Kurian Jose, Puppy P D, Shoba Nair, K P Prasanthm P S Biju

Counsel for Respondent: N Manoj Kumar (State Attorney), K Gopalakrishna Kurup (AG), V Manu (Spl. GP), C Dinehs, Kaleeswaram Raj, Thulasi K Raj, Aparna Narayan Menon, Chinnu Maria Menon,