Centre non-committal on enhancing honoraria for Anganwadi

The Centre today remained non-committal on enhancing of honorarium given to Anganwadi workers but said state governments were free to increase the amount given to the health and social welfare workers.
Minister of State for Women and Child Development Krishna Raj said in Lok Sabha that Anganwadi workers and helpers were "honorary workers" who are paid monthly honoraria as decided by the government from time-to-time.
The present rate of honoraria paid to the Anganwadi workers and helpers since 2011 is Rs 3,000 and Rs 1500 respectively.
The Anganwadi workers are given honararia on the basis of 60:40 basis where 60 per cent funds come from the Centre and the remaining from the state governments.

"Some state governments are increasing their share and giving higher honararia. If other states also increase their share of honoraria, we will welcome it," she said.
The Minister's response came after MPs belonging to different parties asked the government to take initiative to enhance the honorarium of Anganwadi workers for their commendable service in rural areas across the country.

Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and K C Venugopal, TMC's Arpita Ghosh, BJP's Sanjay Jaiswal spoke in the House urging the government to enhance the honorarium.
"The government of India is conscious about the voluntary services rendered by these functionaries and has been doing its best for their welfare," the Minister said.

She said besides the honorarium, some of the facilities extended to the Anganwadi workers include 20 days annual leave, paid leave on maternity for 135 days on two occasions, awards for doing good works, reservation in the recruitment in vacant posts of supervisor, insurance besides others.