Lok Sabha Question No. 2082 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-01
Subject: Social Security to AWWs
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Mr Pathan Yusuf

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 2082

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025

## SOCIAL SECURITY TO AWWS

## 2082. MR. PATHAN YUSUF:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  steps  for  upliftment  and  development  of  Anganwadi  Workers (AWWs), if so, the details of the schemes therefor;
- (b) whether the Government has received such demands for increasing the wages and social security of AWWs in West Bengal, if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  considering  to  release  additional  Grant-in-aid  to  Government  of  West Bengal to meet the demand of Anganwadi workers and development of these workers, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)

(a) to (c) Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is a Centrally Sponsored scheme. The Central  Government  is  responsible  for  policy  and  planning  and  the  State  Governments/UT Administrations  are  responsible  for  day-to-day  program  implementation.  Anganwadi  Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs) are 'honorary workers' from the local community who voluntarily come forward to render their services in the area of child care and development to help the local community for which they are paid honorarium. Honorarium is given to AWWs and AWHs which is increased from time to time. From 1 st October, 2018, Government of India has  enhanced  the  honorarium  of  AWWs  at  Anganwadi  centres  (AWCs)  from  Rs.3,000/-  to Rs.4,500/- per month; AWWs at mini- AWCs from Rs.2,250/- to Rs.3,500/- per month; AWHs from Rs.1,500/- to Rs.2,250/- per month as per the defined cost sharing ratio between the Centre & States/UTs.

Besides, performance linked incentive of Rs.500/- is provided to AWWs and Rs.250/- per month to AWHs. In addition, States/UTs are also paying additional monetary incentives/top ups to these voluntary workers from their own resources which vary from State to State.

Under  Mission  Saksham  Anganwadi  and  Poshan  2.0,  AWWs  have  been  technologically empowered  with  the  provision  of  smartphones  for  efficient  monitoring  and  service  delivery.

Poshan Tracker which is a mobile phone application that has digitized physical registers used by Anganwadi workers. This improves the quality of their work while simultaneously enabling them for real-time monitoring of all activities going on in the Anganwadis.

To incentivize and encourage the AWWs and AWHs, various initiatives have been undertaken including the following:

- i. Promotion : Under  Mission  Saksham  Anganwadi  and  Poshan  2.0,  promotional  opportunities  for Anganwadi Workers have been enhanced. 50% posts of Anganwadi Workers are to be filled by Anganwadi Helpers  with  5  years  of  experience  and  50%  posts  of  Supervisors  are  to  be  filled  by  promotion  of Anganwadi Workers with 5 years of experience subject to fulfilment of other criteria.
- ii. Leave:  20  days  annual  leave  and  paid  maternity  absence  of  180  days,  paid  absence  on abortion/ miscarriage once for 45 days.
- iii. State Governments and UT Administrations have been requested to encourage eligible AWWs and AWHs to get themselves enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhan (PM-SYM) Pension Scheme, which is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for the unorganized sectors in the country to ensure old age protection.
- iv. Social Security Insurance Schemes: Insurance benefits have been provided to Anganwadi Workers and Helpers under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) for life cover worth Rs.2.00 lakh (covers life risk, death due to any reason) in the age group of 18 to 50 years and under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha  Bima  Yojana  for  accidental  cover  of  Rs.2.00  Lakh  (accidental  death  and  permanent  full disability) /Rs.1.00 Lakh (partial but permanent disability) in the age group of 18-59 years.
- v. Retirement date: States and UTs have been requested to adopt a uniform retirement date i.e 30 th April of each year with respect to Anganwadi Workers and Helpers to ensure proper human resource planning.
- vi. Annual Healthcare coverage of Rs. 5 Lakhs under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) to all Anganwadi workers and helpers in pursuance to budget announcement in FY 2024-25.

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