Cabinet nod to hike in honorarium for Anganwadi and Asha workers

NEW DELHI: In a major decision, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved an increase in the honorarium for Anganwadi and Asha workers which will become effective from October and to be paid to ground level health and nutrition volunteers from November onwards.

The Cabinet approved a total amount of Rs 10,649.41 crore for the payment of increased honorarium to Anganwadi and Asha workers for the period from October 2018 to March 2020.

Anganwadi workers receiving Rs 3,000 per month will now get Rs 4,500. Similarly, those at mini-anganwadi centres receiving Rs 2,200 per month will now get Rs 3,500. The honorarium for Anganwadi helpers has also been increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,250 per month, the Cabinet said in an official statement.

Additionally, a monthly performance-linked incentive of Rs 250 has also been approved for Anganwadi helpers for facilitating proper functioning of Anganwadi Centres (AWCS).

Anganwadi workers and helpers using techniques such as common application software (ICDS-CAS) will get additional performance-based incentives ranging between Rs 250 and Rs 500, it said.

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has also given its approval to increase routine and recurring incentives under the National Health Mission for Asha workers from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per month, the statement said.

The Prime Minister had announced the hike in monthly honorariums for Anganwadi and Asha workers on September 11.

There are around 14 lakh Anganwadis or child care centres in rural areas across the country and 10 crore beneficiaries, including children under the age of six, pregnant women and lactating mothers.

There are a total of 12,83,707 Anganwadi workers and 10,50,564 helpers. There are a total of 10,23,136 accredited social health activists (Asha) across the country.

The Prime Minister had appreciated their efforts to work together, to use innovative means and technology, to improve the delivery of health and nutrition services and achieve the goal of the POSHAN Abhiyan - reduction of malnutrition in the country during a video interaction with ASHA, Anganwadi and Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) workers on September 11. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani ahead of a meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi