Stating that he was fulfilling another poll promise, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday announced a hike in the salaries of Asha workers to Rs 10,000 from the current Rs 3,000. Jagan, who took oath as chief minister on May 30, made the announcement at a review meeting at the health department.

During the election campaign, YSRCP had promised to increase the salaries of Accredited Social Health Activist (Asha) workers.

Jagan said that the government was determined to revamp the medical and health department to improve health facilities in government hospitals.

He said as promised in YSRCP manifesto, the government would restore the past glory of 108 ambulance services introduced during former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy's regime.

Jagan expressed surprise over the pathetic condition in government hospitals during the last five years. He also formed a committee to revamp the medical and health department and asked the panel to submit the report in 45 days.

In his first speech as the Chief Minister, Jagan focused on two main aspects; making the government corruption-free and providing jobs to the unemployed youth in the state. His focus was also on the Navaratnalu (Nine Gems) welfare schemes that he had promised during his campaign.

Signing his first document as Chief Minister on stage, after the oath-taking ceremony, Jagan said that he was increasing the monthly old age pension up to Rs 2,250, which will take effect from June. 

In a meeting last week, as a first step towards imposing prohibition in Andhra Pradesh, Jagan has also asked officials to shut 'belt shops' or illegal outlets of licensed liquor shops in the state. The Chief Minister said stringent action should be taken against those running such shops, and directed officials to cancel the license of dealers running the illegal outlets. 

IANS inputs