Bengal: After ICDS Worker’s ‘Suicide’, ASHA on Survey Duty Faces ‘Attack’ in Hooghly

Kolkata: A few days after the alleged suicide of ICDS worker Reba Biswas, an Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) worker involved in survey work for a Central housing scheme, was allegedly attacked and her house burnt.

The incident happened in Guptipara of Hooghly on Wednesday night, amid reports of attacks from different parts of the state on ASHA workers involved in the survey work to authenticate beneficiaries of the Central housing scheme.

Read Also: Bengal: Protests Over ‘Suicide’ by ICDS Worker Who Was Evaluating Awas Yojana Recipients

According to some local residents, a pile of jute lying in the house of ASHA worker Saraswati Ghosh in Ayada Ghoshpara of Guptipara No. 2 panchayat, caught fire on Wednesday night. The fire gradually spread to different parts of the house. Residents of the area allege that some miscreants set the fire at night.

Sudam Ghosh, the ASHA worker’s husband, told People’s Reporter: "I woke up at the call of our neighbours and saw the pile of jute ablaze. I went there and tried to put out the fire by pouring water on it. We never had any enmity with anyone. Our neighbours are also nice, there is no problem anywhere.”

Ghosh said he makes a living by cultivating land, while his wife earns as an ASHA worker.

The incident has led to an uproar in the entire area, as it comes close on the heels of allegations that an Anganwadi worker was forced to commit suicide under pressure from ruling party (Trinamool Congress) leaders in North 24 Parganas district.

Some local residents alleged that block administrations were forcing ASHA and Anganwadi workers to survey beneficiaries of the Central housing scheme in various districts. As a result, ASHA and Anganwadi workers are under pressure from local big-wigs and are facing abuse and harassment and are being allegedly forced to report a pucca house as a mud house, as also cut some names from the list of beneficiaries.

Some ASHA workers, who did not wish to be named, said they were recently informed about the housing survey work. “Since we have no experience in this matter, we did not want to take on this responsibility. We are being forced to do this work. There are several problems in doing this. The ruling party is under pressure and our safety is not guaranteed.” said a worker, requesting anonymity.

Earlier, many applications had been submitted for the housing project. Realising the lack of transparency in the socio-economic status of some applicants, a survey was launched by the Centre.

According to CPI(M) Hooghly district committee member Atanu Ghosh: “This time the problem has become worse due to the failed attempt of hiding corruption. ICDS workers are facing pressure from various sections of the ruling party. ASHA or other scheme workers have not been appointed for this work, so why put pressure on them? We demand appropriate punishment for the culprits.”

Meanwhile, people in the area protested the housing corruption on Thursday. A joint protest was held in front of Balagarh BDO office by various organisations, including students, youth, women and farmers, against “burning” of the ASHA worker's house.

After the protest rally, organisation leaders met the Block Development Officer and submitted a memorandum. They have demanded that all corruption be stopped and the real deprived be enrolled in the housing scheme; fertiliser should be given at a fair price and elections should be held on time in cooperatives.

"I have two little boys and girls. I am spending my days in fear after this incident. The work of the Awas Yojana survey by ICDS workers must be stopped," Shampa Das, a scheme worker said.

Reba Biswas (39), whose body was recovered hanging from a tree adjacent to her house on December 12, was allegedly facing threats from leaders and workers of the ruling party while surveying the Central housing scheme. She was allegedly threatened of removal from her job if she did not make the list, as desired by the local leaders. Reba's family alleges that she committed suicide as she could not bear this pressure.

West Bengal Asha Karmi Union, affiliated to Centre of Indian Trade Unions or CITU, took to the streets on Tuesday, demanding that ICDS and ASHA workers should not be asked not carry out the housing scheme survey and sought a compensation of Rs 50 lakh for Reba’s family. They alleged that it was not a suicide, but “institutional murder” and the Chief Minister must take responsibility for it.

Ismat Ara Khatun, leader of West Bengal Asha Workers Union, said: "Housing scheme survey work cannot be done by ASHA and Anganwadi workers. The Union Ministry of Child and Women Welfare has clear guidelines that any work that may endanger them will not be done by ASHA workers. The National Rural Health Mission for ASHA workers also clearly states that ASHA workers will sensitise people about health related work, related houses and toilets."