Bhubaneswar: With a nearly 24 lakh headcount, the Anganwadi workers, helpers form a strong contingent in the country.
They are the foot soldiers of the rural India, who played the crucial role in delivering early child care services and health services to women and children, and have boosted the country’s resilience in its fight against child malnutrition, infant and maternal mortality, low institutionalised birth delivery etc.
In the country’s fight against the once-a-lifetime pandemic like Covid-19, the Anganwadi Worker (AWWs) and Anaganwadi Helpers (AWHs) were the frontline soldiers, who helped the country in its battle against the virus effectively.
In recognition of their stellar services to nation building, from the year 2018, the Modi government has enhanced the honorarium of AWWs at main-AWCs to Rs.4,500 per month from Rs3,000. Similarly, for the AWWs at mini- AWCs to Rs3,500 per month from Rs2,250
And for the AWHs to Rs2,250 per month from Rs1,500.
Besides, the government has introduced performance linked incentive of Rs250 per month for AWHs and Rs500 to AWWs.
Moreover, the State governments, too, sanction additional honorarium to the AWWs and AWHs.
AWWs, AWHs STATE WISE HEADCOUNT
While the AWWs and AWHs formed a strong contingent of nearly 24 lakh, their number varies across the states. Among the major states, UP tops all with a contingent of over 2.9 lakh. The state wise tally follows
- UP – 1.827 Lakh AWW, 1.12 AWH
- Bihar – 1.12 lakh, 82.6K
- West Bengal – 1.08lakh, 99.66K
- Maharashtra – 1.08lakh, 74.74K
- Madhya Pradesh – 96.28K, 65.3K
- Odisha – 73.65K, 62.14K
A look at the above data shows Odisha figures among the top-6 states in having a big workforce of AWWs and AWHs in the country.
PAY MATRIX
In recognition to their yeoman services as a frontline soldiers in leading nation’s fight against hunger and diseases, the state governments across the country have paid top-up money over that of the Centre’s per month honorarium.
A glance at the data available with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the reward the AWWs and AWHs receive in Odisha has been the second lowest in the country, despite the State having 6th largest workforce of AWWs and AWHs.
The state wise honorarium given to AWWs listed below.
- Haryana – Rs 9000- Rs9500/month
- Madhya Pradesh – Rs 8500/month
- Kerala – Rs 8000/month
While the above three states have been the highest reward provider to AWWs in the country, majority of states hornorarium hovers around Rs 5000 and above.
ODISHA VS NEIGHBOURS
The neighbouring states like Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Andhra Pradesh honorarium to AWWs and AWHs have been far higher than Odisha.
- Andhra Pradesh – Rs 7000 for AWWs, Rs 4750 for AWHs
- Chhattisgarh – Rs 5500 for AWWs, 2750 for AWHs
- Jharkhand – Rs 5000 for AWWs, 2500 for AWHs
- West Bengal – Rs 3750 for AWWs, Rs 4050 for AWHs
- ODISHA – Rs 3000 for AWWs (main), Rs 1500 for AWHs
LOWEST PAY AMONG MAJOR STATES
The data available shows Uttar Pradesh despite holding the largest contingent of AWWs and AWHs, and where the child and maternal indicators are not sound, pays the least top-up honorarium in the country.
- AWWs – Rs 1500/month
- AWHs – Rs 750/month
Among the major states, Odisha has been the second state in the country with lowest honorarium to the AWws and AWHs.
