K. Surendran asked the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Left government to apologise to the ASHA workers. Union Health Minister J. P. Nadda revealed that the Centre has given all dues to the state regarding payments for them. The ASHA protesters are demanding a hike in their monthly honorarium from Rs 7,000 to Rs 21,000, along with retirement benefits and the clearance of pending payments. On Tuesday just before the Parliament session began, the Congress-led UDF MPs staged a protest demanding action from the Centre. The Kerala ASHA Workers’ protest issue was raised in Parliament on Monday. The CPI(M)-led Vijayan government has come under sharp criticism not just from the Congress, UDF and the BJP but from various sections of society. The protest should have been held at the state secretariat here, said Surendra, the Kerala BJP president. For confidential support on suicide matters call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details. In the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Line on 1-800-273-8255 or visit http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/.