Lok Sabha Question No. 2233 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-15
Subject: Change in Nomenclature of Anganwadi Worker’s Honorarium
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Rajmohan Unnithan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 2233

TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2023

## CHANGE IN NOMENCLATURE OF ANGANWADI WORKER'S HONORARIUM

## 2233.   SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN :

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  that  Anganwadi  Workers  went  to courts demanding social security benefits, facilities, increased wages, right to be paid gratuity, post-retirement benefits etc. if so, the details and the outcome thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  proposes  to  change  the  nomenclature  of  the compensation category of Anganwadi and ASHA Workers from 'Honorarium'  to 'Salary' and providing requisite resultant benefits;
- (c) if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) if not, the reasons therefor.

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) : Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0' is a centrally sponsored scheme and the  implementation  of  the  scheme  falls  under  the  ambit  of  State  Government/UT Administration. The Government of India, releases funds in the prescribed cost sharing ratio to the States/UTs for implementation of the scheme.

Anganwadi Workers and Helpers are 'honorary' workers from local community who come forward to render their service on part time basis in the area of child care and development and are being paid monthly honoraria as decided by the Government from time to time. The Hon'ble Supreme Court of India by order dated 07.12.2006 has held that Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers do not hold a civil post. Recently, the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India has granted relief to AWWs and AWHs working in Anganwadi centers and directed the State Government of Gujarat to extend the gratuity benefits to the eligible AWWs/AWHs.

However, Government of India increases the honorarium of AWWs/AWHs from time  to  time.  From  1 st   October,  2018,  Government  of  India  has  enhanced  the honorarium of AWWs at main-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;  and  introduced  performance  linked  incentive  of  Rs.250/-  per month  for  AWHs  and  Rs.500/-  to  AWWs.  In  addition,  States/UTs  are  also  paying additional  monetary  incentives/honorarium  to  these  functionaries  from  their  own resources which vary from State to State. Apart from this, there are provisions of promotion, leave, uniform, social security benefits. 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, which is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for the unorganized sectors in the country to ensure old age protection. As regards ASHA workers, they are envisaged to be community health volunteer and  only  entitled  to  task/activity  based  incentives.  ASHAs  receive  a  fixed  monthly

incentive for routine and recurring activities.

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