Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 18 July 2023
In a historic move, the Honorable Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has approved a significant enhancement in the honorarium for Anganwadi workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi helpers (AWHs). Effective from July 1, 2023, the honorarium for AWWs will be increased from Rs. 9,000 to Rs. 12,000 per month, while for AWHs it will be raised from Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 8,000 per month. This decision, implemented with an additional outlay of Rs. 11.45 Crore from the Union Territory’s budget, makes Andaman and Nicobar Islands one of the highest-paying regions in the country for Anganwadi Workers and Helpers.
The Department of Social Welfare, under the administration of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is responsible for implementing the Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 services across the Union Territory. These services encompass vital components such as Supplementary Nutrition, Pre-School Education, Immunisation, Nutrition & Health Education, Health Check-up, and Referral Services. In addition, new initiatives such as ‘Poshan Bhi Padhai Bhi,’ ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao,’ ‘Poshan Abhiyaan,’ and ‘Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)’ have been integrated into the scheme.
Presently, there are 720 Anganwadi Centres catering to 11,796 children in the age group of 0-6 years, along with 2,552 pregnant and lactating women who avail various Anganwadi services. The dedicated Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers play a crucial role in delivering these services to the beneficiaries.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development releases a monthly honorarium of Rs. 4,500 for Anganwadi Workers and Rs. 2,250 for Anganwadi Helpers. However, the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has been providing an additional amount of Rs. 4,500 per month to AWWs and Rs. 3,750 per month to AWHs. As a result, the AWWs received a total monthly honorarium of Rs. 9,000, and the AWHs received Rs. 6,000.
Recognising the demanding nature of their duties and the significant role they play in combating malnutrition among children and women, the Chief Secretary of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Administration recommended an increase in the Union Territory’s component of the honorarium for Anganwadi workers and helpers. Accordingly, the Honourable Lieutenant Governor of Andaman and Nicobar Islands approved the enhancement, adding Rs. 3,000 per month for AWWs and Rs. 2,000 per month for AWHs, starting from July 1, 2023.
With this historic step, the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands has emerged as one of the highest-paying regions in the country for Anganwadi Workers and Helpers. This move not only recognises the invaluable contribution of these individuals but also aims to further empower them in their mission to reduce malnutrition among children and women.