Lok Sabha Question No. 3634 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-21
Subject: Central Share in Honorarium of AWW and AWH
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Smt. Joba Majhi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 3634

TO BE ANSWERED ON 21.03.2025

## CENTRAL SHARE IN HONORARIUM OF AWW AND AWH

†3634. SMT. JOBA MAJHI:

Will the Minister of Women and Child Development be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Central share of honorarium provided to Anganwadi workers and helpers has not been increased for almost last one decade, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Anganwadi workers and helpers are constantly agitating throughout the country for increase in their honorarium, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  the  Supreme  Court  has  considered  the  AWW  and  AWH  as Government employees and passed an order to provide the said workers and helpers all the facilities and salary accordingly, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the Government proposes to increase the central share of the said honorarium head, if so, the time frame fixed thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d) Anganwadi Services under 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 are responsible for day-to-day program  implementation.  Government  of  India  increases  the  honorarium  of Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (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 miniAWCs  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.

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/honorarium to these functionaries from their own resources which vary from State to State.

As per the information available in the Ministry, no such order has been passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India regarding salary and regularization of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers.

With a view to incentivize and encourage the Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (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) 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.

(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) 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.

(v) Healthcare annual 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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