Enhancement of Honoraria for Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers under the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved the enhancement of Honoraria for Anganwadi Workers to Rs.3000/- from Rs.1500/- per month and for Anganwadi Helpers and Workers of Mini-AWCs to Rs.1500/- from Rs.750/- per month under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme.
The CCEA also gave its approval for carrying out such operational modifications by the Ministry of Women & Child Development as may be warranted for better implementation.
The estimated additional requirement comes to Rs.3479.83 crore per annum. The Government of India liability which is to the extent of 90% will be an estimated Rs.3131.85 crore
The enhancement of honoraria will be made effective from 1.4.2011 through a letter to all the States/UTs as soon as the Cabinet accords its approval.
A total of 11.71 lakh AWWs including Workers of Mini-AWCs and 10.97 lakh AWHs (as on 31.12.2010) will benefit from this enhancement in honorarium w.e.f. 1.4.2011. This would also go a long way in motivating the honorary work force for delivering services in a committed way.
ICDS Scheme has been universalized to cover each and every habitation in the country. All Workers /Helpers in all States/Districts will be covered.
Background
Anganwadi Workers (AWW) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWH) are the front-line functionaries at the AWC who render services as "honorary workers". Over time, AWWs have emerged as the central figure for child care and development under the ICDS Scheme. AWC has come to be acknowledged as the first out-post of health, nutrition and early learning at habitation level. Therefore, AWWs besides shouldering the responsibility of providing nutritional support to children and mothers, assist the PHC staff in immunization, health check-up, ante and post natal checkups, counsel the care-givers and organize non-formal pre-school activities. Their honoraria has been fixed and enhanced from time to time.
The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is a nation-wide programme for Early Childhood Care and Development. It is one of the flagship programmes of the Government. The Scheme provides a package of six services comprising (i) supplementary nutrition(SNP) (ii) immunization, (iii) health check-up, (iv) referral services, (v) pre-school non-formal education and (vi) nutrition and health education. The beneficiaries are children below six years of age, pregnant women & lactating mothers. Immunization, health check up & referral services are all provided in coordination with the public health infrastructure and system.
ICDS Scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme being implemented through the States/UTs en a cost sharing basis in the ratio of 50:50 for SNP and 90:10 for other components except in case of North Eastern States where the Central and State/UT Government share for SNP, is also in the ratio of 90:10. The focal point of delivery of services is the Anganwadi Centre (AWC). Anganwadi Workers (AWW) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWH) are the front-line functionaries at the AWC who render services as "honorary workers".
There has been significant progress in the implementation of ICDS Scheme during XI Plan both, in terms of increase in number of operational projects and Anganwadi Centres (AWCs). The no.of operational projects and AWCs as on 31.12.2010 was 6719 and 12.41 lakh respectively as against 5829 Projects and 8.44 lakh AWCs operational as on 31.3.2007. The total number of beneficiaries has also increased from 705.43 lakh as on 31.3.2007 to 918.65 lakh as on 31.12.2010.
Alongside gradual expansion of the Scheme, there has also been a significant increase in the Budgetary allocation for ICDS Scheme from Rs. 10391.75 crore in 10th Five Year Plan to Rs.44,400 crore in the XI Plan Period.
Honorarium of AWWs /AWHs is a component of the budget for ICDS Scheme. This has been revised from time to time. Last revision was in 2008 when the honorarium was enhanced by Rs.500/- p.m. over the last honorarium drawn by AWW and Rs.250/- p.m. over the last honorarium drawn by AWHs of AWCs and Workers of Mini-AWCs.
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