By Our Correspondent
NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR:Dr. Sasmit Patra, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) from Odisha, has written to the Hon’ble Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Smt. Annapurna Devi, seeking an immediate review and upward revision of the honorarium and incentive structure for Anganwadi Workers (AWWs), Mini-Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs) under Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0.
In his representation, Dr. Patra highlighted that the last revision of honorarium was undertaken in 2018 and that nearly eight years have elapsed since then. During this period, the cost of living has increased substantially, while the responsibilities entrusted to Anganwadi functionaries have expanded significantly with the implementation of POSHAN Abhiyaan, POSHAN Tracker, Saksham Anganwadi, nutrition surveillance, digital reporting, beneficiary tracking, maternal health monitoring and community mobilisation activities.
“Anganwadi Workers and Helpers are the backbone of India’s nutrition, maternal health and early childhood development ecosystem. Their commitment and service have played a pivotal role in strengthening child welfare and nutrition outcomes across the country. It is only appropriate that their remuneration framework reflects both the rising cost of living and the expanded responsibilities they shoulder today,” Dr. Patra stated.
Drawing particular attention to Odisha, Dr. Patra noted that Anganwadi functionaries serve as the primary interface between the Government and millions of children, pregnant women and lactating mothers, especially in rural, tribal, coastal, remote and aspirational districts. Their contribution is indispensable in ensuring last-mile delivery of critical nutrition and welfare services.
In his letter, Dr. Patra has urged the Ministry to consider:
• Constitution of an appropriate Review Committee or Mechanism to examine the existing honorarium and incentive structure.
• Assessment of inflation and cost-of-living changes since the 2018 revision.
• Evaluation of the increased responsibilities arising from POSHAN Abhiyaan, POSHAN Tracker, Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0.
• Upward revision of honorarium for Anganwadi Workers, Mini-Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers.
• Enhancement of performance-linked incentives in recognition of increased responsibilities and service delivery outcomes.
• Consideration of special incentives for workers serving in tribal, remote, coastal, difficult, Left Wing Extremism-affected and aspirational districts.
• Institutionalisation of a periodic review mechanism to ensure timely future revisions.
Dr. Patra emphasized that strengthening the honorarium and incentive structure of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers should not be viewed merely as a welfare measure, but as a strategic investment in healthier children, empowered mothers, stronger communities and a more prosperous India.
He expressed confidence that a timely review by the Government of India would further strengthen the country’s maternal and child welfare architecture while recognising the invaluable contribution of frontline Anganwadi functionaries.
