SRINAGAR: The Ministry of Women and Child Development has clarified the reasons behind salary disparities among Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs) across states, despite the scheme being centrally sponsored. In a statement laid in the Lok Sabha, Minister Annapurna Devi explained that while the central government provides funds under the Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 scheme, states play a significant role in determining additional incentives.
The central government’s contribution provides honorariums of Rs 4,500 per month for Anganwadi Workers at main centres, Rs 3,500 for those at mini-centres, and Rs 2,250 for Anganwadi Helpers. Performance-linked incentives are also granted, with Rs. 500 per month for workers and Rs 250 for helpers. However, state governments and Union Territories often provide additional monetary incentives using their own resources, which leads to variations in salaries across the country.
The minister noted that the financial arrangement for the scheme involves a cost-sharing ratio between the Centre and states. For most states and Union Territories, the ratio is 60:40, while for Northeastern and Himalayan states, including Jammu and Kashmir, it is 90:10. In Union Territories without legislatures, the central government bears the full cost.
To support and incentivise Anganwadi functionaries, the government has introduced several initiatives, including enhanced promotional opportunities. For example, Anganwadi Helpers with five years of experience can be promoted to Anganwadi Workers, while experienced workers are eligible for promotion to supervisory positions. Insurance benefits are provided under the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana. Additionally, the government has encouraged workers to enrol in the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Mandhan pension scheme to ensure financial security in old age.
Further measures include a uniform retirement date of 30 April, which has been recommended to all states and Union Territories to facilitate better workforce planning. The government has also extended healthcare benefits under Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY), offering Rs. 5 lakh in annual coverage for Anganwadi Workers and Helpers.
The issue was raised in the Lok Sabha by MPs Arvind Ganpat Sawant and Bharti Pardhi, who sought an explanation for the disparities in honorariums and questioned the steps being taken to ensure uniformity. The minister’s response emphasised the collaborative nature of the scheme, with the Centre focusing on policy and funding, while the states are responsible for implementation and additional incentives.
The statement includes a detailed explanation of how much money can the local government extend to the workers and their helpers in addition to the wages fixed already. In the case of Jammu and Kashmir, it is Rs 600 and Rs 300 for Anganwadi workers Helpers that the local government can give on the basis of the performance of the individual workers. These are additional incentives, the statement said.
In response to a separate question, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has outlined the pivotal responsibilities of Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Helpers (AWHs) in transforming Anganwadi Centres under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. In a statement laid in the Lok Sabha, Minister Annapurna Devi detailed the multi-faceted duties of these workers and the government’s initiatives to empower them.
According to the statement, each Anganwadi Centre typically has one worker and one helper in main centres, while mini-centres are staffed by a single worker. Under the “Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi” initiative launched in May 2023, Anganwadi Centres are being revamped into learning hubs with modern infrastructure, play equipment, and training for workers to enhance the cognitive, social, and emotional development of children under six years old, including children with disabilities.
To support early childhood education, the government has introduced two frameworks: Navchetana, for children from birth to three years, and Aadharshila, for those aged three to six years. These frameworks provide structured activities and guidelines for holistic development, including both in-centre and at-home learning. The curriculum incorporates a mix of child-led and educator-led sessions, with a special emphasis on the inclusion of children with disabilities.
Anganwadi Workers, in addition to teaching, are tasked with extensive duties ranging from feeding beneficiary data into the Poshan Tracker app to conducting annual family surveys and offering health and nutrition counselling to mothers. They also assist in healthcare delivery, including immunisation and health check-ups, and support the implementation of adolescent programmes in aspirational districts.
The government has introduced technological tools to improve efficiency. Workers are provided with smartphones to digitise records, and the Poshan Tracker app enables real-time monitoring of activities. Monthly Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) days are organised to engage parents and communities in enhancing school readiness and life skills.
Highlighting challenges faced by Anganwadi Workers, the ministry acknowledged that managing children of different age groups simultaneously requires significant multitasking and can impact the quality of early education. Training programmes have been initiated to address these challenges, including a two-tier implementation model for continuous skill enhancement.
Additionally, the government has emphasised the use of indigenous toys and local materials in teaching to foster creativity and cultural connection. States and Union Territories have been paired under the “Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat” initiative to exchange traditional toys and folklores.
The ministry reiterated its commitment to improving early childhood education and care while ensuring that Anganwadi Workers and Helpers are supported through structured training, technological tools, and curriculum frameworks to deliver quality services across the country.
