Cabinet approves increase in honorarium for Anganwadi and Asha workers

Anganwadi workers will now get ₹4,500 and helpers ₹2,250 per month. The routine and recurring incentives given to Asha workers have also been increased to ₹2000 per month.

The Union Cabinet Wednesday approved an increase in the honorarium for Anganwadi and Asha workers which will become effective next month.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacts with the ASHA, Anganwadi and ANM workers from all over the country through video conference, in New Delhi on September 11. (PTI Photo)

Anganwadi workers receiving ₹3,000 per month will now get ₹4,500. Similarly, those at mini-Anganwadi centres receiving ₹2,200 per month will now get ₹3,500.

The honorarium for Anganwadi helpers has also been increased from ₹1,500 to ₹2,250 per month, the Cabinet said in a statement.

Anganwadi workers and helpers using techniques such as common application software (ICDS-CAS) will get additional performance-based incentives ranging between ₹250 and ₹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 ₹1000 to ₹2000 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.