Bihar’s Big Bet on Rural Healthcare: Nitish Kumar Triples ASHA Pay, Doubles Mamta Incentives Ahead of Polls

In an audacious attempt to boost healthcare and energize his support base, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced a large increase in incentives for rural health workers on July 30, 2025, just months before the Bihar Assembly elections. The monthly honorarium for Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) has been tripled from ₹1,000 to ₹3,000, and the per-delivery incentive for Mamta workers, who assist with maternal and newborn care, has been doubled from ₹300 to ₹600. This decision, which was hailed as a tribute to their vital role in rural health, has drawn praise and criticism for being politically motivated. What does this mean for Bihar’s political climate and healthcare system as elections approach? Let’s examine the implications of this momentous announcement.

According to Hindustan Times, the incentive increase highlights the crucial roles played by Mamta and ASHA employees under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). As the backbone of community health, ASHA employees—one for every 1,000 rural residents—provide basic care, mobilize communities, and facilitate access to services. Mamta workers, contract employees in maternity units of government hospitals, make sure that deliveries are safe and that newborns are taken care of. On X, Kumar wrote, “Since 2005, we have worked extensively to improve health services,” stressing that the increased incentives would “boost morale and strengthen health services in rural areas.” According to The Economic Times, the decision is expected to cost the state exchequer ₹250 crore a year and affect over 90,000 ASHA employees as well as thousands of Mamta employees.

Debate has been stoked by the timing, which comes before the October–November 2025 polls. Kumar and other supporters claim it fulfills long-standing demands, and X posts like @DDNewslive applaud the acknowledgment of frontline workers. A pre-election push to bolster rural support is indicated by the policy’s alignment with other welfare measures, such as increased pensions for journalists and free electricity up to 125 units. According to Business Standard, the increase is intended to enhance maternal and child health outcomes, which are crucial in a state where 32% of people live in rural areas. However, in a harsh X post, opposition leader Tejashwi Yadav charged that Kumar was “repackaging” projects he started while serving as health minister, saying the process was almost complete during his 17-month term. “They made fun of us, but now they imitate our tactics,” Yadav accused.

Implementation is questioned by critics; X users like @NewKerala_com point to previous

ASHA payment delays and call for improved systems in addition to the hike. According to The Statesman, the opposition’s larger criticism is that this is a populist ploy because Kumar’s government disregarded rural healthcare for years. However, according to public health experts cited by NewKerala.com, if funds are distributed quickly, there is a chance that health metrics will improve. Making sure payments are made on time and filling in the gaps in rural infrastructure are the execution challenges.
This action might change the electoral and medical landscape in Bihar. Will it be viewed as vote-buying or win over supporters in rural areas? With rural health workers—and voters—at the center of the debate, Kumar’s gamble puts the delicate balance between political strategy and policy reform to the test as the polls draw closer.