Lok Sabha Question No. 2084 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-29
Subject: Regularisation of Anganwadi Workers
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Umesh G. Jadhav, B. Y. Raghavendra, L.S. Tejasvi Surya, Jaisiddeshwar Shivacharya Mahaswamiji, S. Muniswamy, Sanganna Amarappa Karadi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 2084

TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2022

## REGULARISATION OF ANGANWADI WORKERS

2084.  DR. UMESH G. JADHAV:

SHRI B.Y. RAGHAVENDRA:

SHRI L.S. TEJASVI SURYA:

SHRI SHA.BRA.DR.JAI SIDDESHWAR

SHIVACHARYA MAHASWAMIJI:

SHRI S. MUNISWAMY:

SHRI SANGANNA AMARAPPA:

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

- (a) whether the Government has any plan to enhance the financial benefits in terms of fixed monthly gratuity, incentives, post retirement benefits to Anganwadi and Asha workers;
- (b) if so, the action plan of the Government in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government is considering to regularise the services of Anganwadi workers  in  consultation  with  the  State  Governments  keeping  in  view  their contribution in serving the society during COVID-19 pandemic period; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a)  &  (b)  Anganwadi  Workers  (AWWs)  and  Anganwadi  Helpers  (AWHs)  are  paid monthly  honorarium  as  decided  by  Government  of  India  from  time  to  time,  which  is uniform in all States/UTs.  Presently, AWWs at main-AWCs are paid an honorarium of ₹4,500/-  per  month;  AWWs  at  mini-AWCs  ₹3,500/-  per  month  and  AWHs  are  paid ₹2,250/- per month at the prescribed cost sharing ratio between the Centre and State/ UT.  Also, performance linked incentive of ₹250/- per month paid to AWHs and ₹500/per month paid to AWWs.

In addition, States/UTs are also paying additional monetary incentives/ honorarium to these functionaries from their own resources.

In  order  to  motivate  AWWs/AWHs  and  give  recognition  to  good  voluntary  work,  a Scheme of Award has been introduced. There is provision of award @Rs.50,000/- for selected AWWs and Rs.40,000/- for selected AWHs.

State  Governments/UT  Administrations  have  been  requested  to  encourage  eligible AWWs/AWHs  to  get themselves  enrolled  under  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Shram  Yogi Mandhan  (PM-SYM)  Pension  Scheme  on  voluntary  basis  in  order  to  get  assured monthly pension on attaining the age of 60 years.

ASHAs  are  envisaged  to  be  community  health  volunteer  and  only  entitled to task/activity based incentives. ASHAs receive a fixed monthly incentive of Rs.2000 per month for  routine  and  recurring  activities  and  the  details  are  placed  at Annexure-I. Additionally,  they  are  provided  performance-based  incentives  for  a  varied  set  of activities  under  various  National  Health  Programmes  and  details  are  placed  at Annexure-II.

After  the  launch  of  the  Ayushman  Bharat  Scheme  with  operationalisation  of Ayushman  Bharat-  Health  and  Wellness  Centres  (AB-HWCs),  ASHAs  are  now additionally  eligible  for  Team  Based  Incentives  (TBIs)  along  with  ANMs  based  on monitored performance indicators (up to Rs. 1000 per month).

The following steps have been taken by the Government of India for the welfare of ASHA workers:

The ASHA benefit package was introduced acknowledging significant contribution  and  commitment  of  ASHAs.  The  package  provides  social  security  of  life insurance, accident insurance, and pension for all eligible ASHAs through enrollment of following schemes:

- i. Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Beema Yojana (PMJJBY) with a benefit Rs. 2.00 Lakh in case of death of the insured (annual premium of Rs. 330 contributed by GOI).
- ii. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Beema Yojana (PMSBY) with a benefit of Rs.2.00 lakh for  accidental  death  or  permanent  disability;  Rs.  1.00  lakh  for  partial  disability (annual premium of Rs. 12 contributed by GOI).
- iii. Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan Dhan (PM-SYM) with pension benefit of Rs. 3000 pm after age of 60 years (50% contribution of premium by GOI and 50% by beneficiaries).

In addition,  under  the  Pradhan  Mantri  Garib  Kalyan  Package  (PMGKP), Insurance Scheme has been introduced for all health workers, including ASHAs. This insurance scheme provides an insurance cover of Rs.50.00 Lakhs in case of loss of life on account of COVID-19 related duty.

The Government has also approved a cash award of Rs.20,000/- and a citation to ASHAs who leave the programme after working as ASHAs for minimum of 10 years, as acknowledgement of their contribution.

(c)  &  (d)    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 do  not  hold  any  civil  post  and  Minimum  Wages  Act  is  also  not  applicable  to  them. Therefore,  Anganwadi  Workers  and  Anganwadi  Helpers  have  been  categorized  as honorary workers.

*****

Statements referred in Part (a) & (b) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Q.No. 2084 for answer on 29.07.2022 regarding 'Regularisation of Anganwadi Workers'

## The details of incentives for routine and recurring activities given to ASHAs

| S. No.   | Incentives                                                                                                                           | Incentives (from September, 2018)   |
|----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------|
| 1        | Mobilizing and attending Village Health and Nutrition Days or Urban Health and Nutrition Days                                        | Rs.200/session                      |
| 2        | Conveying and guiding monthly meeting of VHSNC/MAS                                                                                   | Rs. 150                             |
| 3        | Attending monthly meeting at Block PHC/UPHC                                                                                          | Rs. 150                             |
| 4        | a. Line listing of households done at beginning of the year and updated every six months                                             | Rs. 300                             |
| 4        | b. Maintaining village health register and supporting universal registration of births and deaths to be updated on the monthly basis | Rs. 300                             |
| 4        | c. Preparation of due list of children to be immunized on monthly basis                                                              | Rs. 300                             |
| 4        | d. Preparation of list of ANC beneficiaries to be updated on monthly basis                                                           | Rs. 300                             |
| 4        | e. Preparation of list of eligible couple on monthly basis                                                                           | Rs. 300                             |
| Total    | Total                                                                                                                                | Rs. 2000/-                          |

| Details of performance-based incentives for a varied set of National Health Programmes                                                           | Details of performance-based incentives for a varied set of National Health Programmes                                                           | activities under various                                                                                                                         |
|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Activities Amount in Rs/case                                                                                                                     | Activities Amount in Rs/case                                                                                                                     | Activities Amount in Rs/case                                                                                                                     |
| I Maternal Health 1 JSY financial package                                                                                                        | I Maternal Health 1 JSY financial package                                                                                                        | I Maternal Health 1 JSY financial package                                                                                                        |
|                                                                                                                                                  | a.For ensuring antenatal care for the woman                                                                                                      | Rs.300/Rs.200 (Rural/Urban areas)                                                                                                                |
| b.For facilitating institutional delivery                                                                                                        | b.For facilitating institutional delivery                                                                                                        | Rs. 300/Rs.200 (Rural/Urban areas)                                                                                                               |
| 2                                                                                                                                                | Reporting Death of women                                                                                                                         | Rs. 200 (reporting within 24 hours)                                                                                                              |
| II                                                                                                                                               | Child Health                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                  |
| 1                                                                                                                                                | Home Visit-care of the New Born and Post-Partum mother etc. / Young Child / follow up                                                            | Rs. 250 /Rs. 50 per visit / Rs.150 only after MUAC is equal to nor-more than 125mm                                                               |
| 2                                                                                                                                                | Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight                                                                                                          | Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight                                                                                                          |
|                                                                                                                                                  | a.Week-1-ASHA incentive for prophylactic distribution of ORS to families with under-five children                                                | Rs. 1 per ORS packet for 100 under five children                                                                                                 |
|                                                                                                                                                  | b.Week-2- ASHA incentive for facilitating growth monitoring of all children in village                                                           | Rs. 100 per ASHA for completing at least 80% of household                                                                                        |
|                                                                                                                                                  | c.MAA (Mother's Absolute Affection) Programme                                                                                                    | Rs. 100/ASHA/ Quarterly meeting                                                                                                                  |
| III                                                                                                                                              | Immunization                                                                                                                                     |                                                                                                                                                  |
| 1                                                                                                                                                | Full immunization for a child under one year/ up-to two years age                                                                                | Rs. 100 /Rs. 75                                                                                                                                  |
| 2                                                                                                                                                | Mobilizing children for OPV immunization / DPT Booster                                                                                           | Rs. 100 per day / Rs. 50                                                                                                                         |
| IV                                                                                                                                               | Family Planning                                                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                  |
| 1                                                                                                                                                | Ensuring spacing of 2 years/ 3 years after birth of 1st child / permanent limiting method after 2 children after marriage                        | Rs. 500 / Rs. 500 / Rs. 1000                                                                                                                     |
| 2                                                                                                                                                | Counselling, motivating and follow up of the cases for Tubectomy                                                                                 | Rs. 200 in 11 with high fertility rates states,Rs.300 in 146 MPV districts, Rs. 150/Rs200 in remaining states                                    |
| 3                                                                                                                                                | Counselling, motivating and follow up of the cases for Vasectomy and NSV and Female Postpartum sterilization                                     | Rs. 300 in 11 states with high fertility rates and Rs. 400 in 146 MPV districts and Rs. 200 in remaining states                                  |
| Mission ParivarVikas- In selected 146 districts in six states-(57 in UP, 37 in Bihar, 14 RJS, 9 in Jharkhand, 02 in Chhattisgarh and 2 in Assam) | Mission ParivarVikas- In selected 146 districts in six states-(57 in UP, 37 in Bihar, 14 RJS, 9 in Jharkhand, 02 in Chhattisgarh and 2 in Assam) | Mission ParivarVikas- In selected 146 districts in six states-(57 in UP, 37 in Bihar, 14 RJS, 9 in Jharkhand, 02 in Chhattisgarh and 2 in Assam) |
| 4                                                                                                                                                | Injectable Contraceptive MPA (Antara Program) and a non-hormonal weekly centchroman pill (Chhaya) - Incentive to ASHA                            | Rs. 100 per dose                                                                                                                                 |
| 5                                                                                                                                                | Mission ParivarVikas Campaigns Block level activities                                                                                            | Rs. 150/ ASHA/round                                                                                                                              |
| 6                                                                                                                                                | NayiPahel - an FP kit for newly weds                                                                                                             | Rs. 100/ASHA/NayiPahel kit distribution                                                                                                          |
| 7                                                                                                                                                | SaasBahuSammelan- mobilize SaasBahu for the Sammelan- maximum four rounds                                                                        | Rs. 100/ per meeting                                                                                                                             |
| 8                                                                                                                                                | Updating of EC survey before each MPV campaign                                                                                                   | Rs.150/ASHA/Quarterly round                                                                                                                      |
| V                                                                                                                                                | Adolescent Health                                                                                                                                |                                                                                                                                                  |
| 1                                                                                                                                                | Sanitary napkins to adolescent girls                                                                                                             | Rs. 1/ pack of 6 sanitary napkins                                                                                                                |
| 2                                                                                                                                                | Organizing monthly meeting with adolescent girls pertaining to Menstrual Hygiene                                                                 | Rs. 50/meeting                                                                                                                                   |
| 3                                                                                                                                                | Conducting PLA meetings- 2 meetings per month                                                                                                    | Rs. 100/ASHA/per meeting                                                                                                                         |
| VI                                                                                                                                               | Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme                                                                                                  |                                                                                                                                                  |

| 1    | For Category I/Category II of TB patients (New cases/ previously treated of Tuberculosis)                                       | Rs. 1000 for 42 contacts / Rs. 1500 for 57 contacts                                     |
|------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 2    | For treatment and support to drug resistant TB patients                                                                         | Rs. 5000 for completed course of treatment                                              |
| 3    | For notification if suspect referred is diagnosed to be TB patient by MO/Lab                                                    | Rs.100                                                                                  |
| VII  | National Leprosy Eradication Programme                                                                                          | National Leprosy Eradication Programme                                                  |
| 1    | Treatment in pauci-bacillary cases /multi-bacillary cases of Leprosy - for 33 states (except Goa, Chandigarh &Puducherry).      | Rs. 250 (for diagnosis) + Rs. 400/Rs.600 (for follow up)                                |
| VIII | National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme                                                                                 | National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme                                         |
| 1    | Malaria-Preparing Blood Slides/complete treatment for RDT or radical treatment of positive Pf cases                             | Rs. 15 per slide/ Rs. 75 per positive cases                                             |
| 2    | Lymphatic Filariasis-Listing of cases                                                                                           | Rs. 200                                                                                 |
| 3    | Acute Encephalitis Syndrome/Japanese Encephalitis                                                                               | Acute Encephalitis Syndrome/Japanese Encephalitis                                       |
|      | Referral of AES/JE cases to the nearest CHC/DH/Medical College                                                                  | Rs. 300 per case                                                                        |
| 4    | Kala Azar elimination                                                                                                           |                                                                                         |
|      | Involvement of ASHAs during the spray rounds (IRS) / for referring a suspected case                                             | Rs. 100/- per round / Rs. 500/per notified case                                         |
| 5    | Dengue and Chikungunya                                                                                                          | Dengue and Chikungunya                                                                  |
|      | Incentive for source reduction & IEC activities for prevention and control of Dengue and Chikungunya in 12 High endemic States. | Rs. 200/- (1 Rupee /House for maximum 200 houses PM for 05 months- during peak season). |
| 6    | National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme                                                                          | National Iodine Deficiency Disorders Control Programme                                  |
|      | ASHA incentive for salt testing                                                                                                 | Rs.25/ month (for 50 salt samples)                                                      |
| IX   | Incentives under (CPHC) and Universal NCDs Screening                                                                            | Incentives under (CPHC) and Universal NCDs Screening                                    |
| 1    | Maintaining data validation and collection of additional information                                                            | Rs. 5/form/family                                                                       |
| 2    | Filling up of CBAC forms of every individual                                                                                    | Rs. 10/per form/per individual                                                          |
| 3    | Follow up of patients                                                                                                           | Rs. 50/per case/Bi-Annual                                                               |
| 4    | Delivery of new service packages under CPHC                                                                                     | Rs.1000/ASHA/PM                                                                         |
| X    | Drinking water and sanitation                                                                                                   | Drinking water and sanitation                                                           |
| 1    | Motivating Households to construct toilet and promote the use of toilets and for individual tap connections                     | Rs. 75 per household                                                                    |

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