Lok Sabha Question No. 1195 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-02-09
Subject: Facilities to Anganwadi Workers/ Helpers
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: UDIT RAJ

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK  SABHA

## UN-STARRED QUESTION No. 1195 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2018

## FACILITIES TO ANGANWADI WORKERS/HELPERS

## 1195. DR. UDIT RAJ:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT to be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Anganwadi Workers and Helpers in Delhi are  getting Rs. 5000 and Rs. 2500 respectively as monthly salary which is less than the minimum wages prescribed by the Government and are not being provided any other facilities and if so, the details thereof; and
- (b) whether the Government proposes to implement any scheme to provide salary, medical and  other  facilities  to  them  on  the  lines  of  Government  employees,  if  so,  the  details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (DR. VIRENDRA KUMAR)

- (a) Presently, Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs) at Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) are paid honoraria of ₹ 3000/- and ₹ 1500/-per month respectively w.e.f. 01.04.2011.  AWWs  of  Mini  -  AWCs  are  being  paid  honoraria  of ₹ 2250/-  w.e.f. 04.07.2013.    In  addition,  States/UTs  are  also  giving  additional  honorarium  from  their financial sources.  Presently, NCT of Delhi is giving additionally an amount of ₹ 6678/per  month to AWWs and ₹ 3339/- per month to AWHs .

In addition, the following benefits are also extended to the AWWs/AWHs:

- (i) Leave: Allowed paid absence of 180 days of maternity leave.
- (ii) Insurance  cover: The  Government  of  India  introduced  `Anganwadi  Karyakartri Bima  Yojana'  to  Anganwadi  Workers/Anganwadi  Helpers  w.e.f.  01.04.2004  under Life Insurance Corporation's Social Security Scheme.

Further, AWWs and AWHs in the age group of 18 to 50 years have been covered under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojna (PMJJBY) for life cover; the AWWs and AWHs in the agegroup of 18-59 years covered under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna(PMSBY)  for accidental cover and the AWWs/AWHs in the age group of 51 to 59 years  would  continue to be covered under  the   Anganwadi    Karyakarti

Bima  Yojna(AKBY)  {modified}  as  long  as  they  are  engaged.    These  benefits  are effective  from  01.06.2017.    Female  Critical  Illness  benefits  will  also  continue  for these beneficiaries.

The scholarship component of AKBY continues for these beneficiaries who are eligible for the benefits during the current Academic Year.

- (iii) Award: In order to motivate the Anganwadi Workers and give recognition to good voluntary work, a Scheme of Award for AWWs was introduced both at the National and State level. The number of Awards and the amount has been increased.  Now the Awards are @ ₹ 50,000/- cash each and a Citation at Central level (100 Awards) and ₹ 10,000/- cash each and a Citation at State level (1275 Awards).
- (iv) Promotion : Reservation of  50%  of  vacant posts  of  Supervisors  for  AWWs, recruitment of 25% of AWWs from AWHs, etc.
- (v) Uniform: Government has made a provision for a set of two Uniform (saree/suit @ ₹ 400/- per saree per annum).

Besides  above,  in  the  recently  approved  National  Nutrition  Mission  (NNM),  a provision has been made for payment of incentive @ ₹ 500/- p.m. to AWWs for using digital equipment for capturing and transmitting ICDS data.

- (b) Since AWWs and AWHs are honorary workers, they are not covered under the Minimum Wages Act as inter-alia held  by  the  Supreme Court in a ruling of 07.12.2006 in Civil Appeal  No.4953-4957  of  1998  State  of  Karnataka  &  Ors.  Vs.  Ameerbi  &  Ors.  The Hon'ble Supreme Court has held that AWWs/AWHs do not hold any civil post.

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