Nabarangpur 17th Oct 2025: A sit-in protest has been launched today in front of the District Collector’s office in Nabarangpur by the Odisha State ASHA Workers’ Union, affiliated with the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh. The protest is being led by the Nabarangpur district unit, demanding resolution of eight key issues.
The protesters raised strong questions such as:
“Why is immediate action taken against an ASHA worker for a mistake, but no action is taken when an officer makes a mistake?”
“Why has no action been taken even after a month has passed since a reported incident?”
As per the union’s announcement, each block will observe this protest on different days, and the hunger strike will continue daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The block-wise protest schedule is as follows:
- 14-10-2025 (Tuesday) – Tentulikhunti Block
- 15-10-2025 (Wednesday) – Nandahandi Block
- 16-10-2025 (Thursday) – Nabarangpur Block
- 17-10-2025 (Friday) – Papadahandi Block
- 18-10-2025 (Saturday) – Dabugam Block
- 19-10-2025 (Sunday) – Jharigaon Block
- 20-10-2025 (Monday) – Bhramarakot Block
- 21-10-2025 (Tuesday) – Chandahandi Block
- 22-10-2025 (Wednesday) – Raighar Block
The protest also references a tragic incident on 30.08.2025, where Damayanti Bhudra, an ASHA worker from Badabasili village, Umerkote Block, died along with her unborn child due to alleged negligence by Dr. Sagarika Swain at Umerkote Health Centre.
Despite the seriousness of the incident, no action has yet been taken by either the district administration or the state government. The union is demanding the suspension and arrest of the doctor.
The ASHA workers also raised other key demands:
- 1. Respectful treatment of ASHA workers in all district health centers.
- 2. Construction of rest houses for ASHA workers in every health center.
- 3. Timely payment between the 1st and 10th of each month.
- 4. Access to labor rooms in hospitals should be allowed for ASHA workers to assist after filling out required forms.
- 5. Official government employee status should be granted to ASHA workers.
- 6. Until permanent employment is confirmed, a monthly salary of ₹24,000 should be paid.
- 7. In case of accidental death, compensation of ₹10 lakh should be provided, and ₹5 lakh in case of natural death.
- 8. Provision of ₹5 lakh retirement assistance and ₹5,000 monthly pension for retired ASHA workers.
The union has clearly stated that the protest will continue until all demands are met. They warned that any consequences or disruptions caused by the protest would be the responsibility of the administration or the government.
The protest is being coordinated and supported by:
- Paramashwar Bishoi – Advisor, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh
- Bishnu Prasad Bishoi – Secretary
- Kavita Swain – President, ASHA Workers Union (Nabarangpur District)
- Gitanjali Harijan – Secretary
- Bibhasini Harijan – President, Tentulikhunti Block
- Manasi Harijan – Secretary, Tentulikhunti Block
Leaders from various blocks, along with approximately 180 ASHA workers from Tentulikhunti block, were present. It was also informed that no district-level officer had come forward to address the protest at the time of reporting.
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