Rs 534 Crores has been released to States/UTs for upgradation of 87,293 Anganwadis: Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi

New Delhi: During the strengthening and restructuring of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, 2 lakh Anganwadi Centres were approved for upgradation. Out of these, 87,293 AWCs have been sanctioned for upgradation and the fund amounting to Rs. 53394.62 lakh has been released to the States/UTs. Further, construction of 4 lakh Anganwadi Centre (AWC) buildings have been approved under Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in convergence with Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme. For the purpose, joint guidelines have been issued on 17.02.2016 by Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Women and Child Development. The guidelines have the provision for providing drinking water and sanitation facilities in these AWCs from the funds available with Panchayati Raj Institutions under 14th Finance Commission.

Anganwadi Workers are paid monthly honoraria as decided by Government from time to time. At present, Anganwadi Workers are paid Rs. 3000 per month, Anganwadi Helpers are paid Rs. 1500 per month and Mini Anganwadi Workers are paid Rs.2250 per month. Besides this, some States/UTs are also giving additional honorarium to Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers out of their own resources for any additional work assigned to them from time to time.

Apart from honorarium, the following facilities are also given to Anganwadi Workers / Anganwadi Helpers:

• 20 days casual leave per year
• Paid absence on maternity of 180 days
• Reservation of 50% of vacant posts of Supervisors from Anganwadi Workers.
• Recruitment of 25% of AWWs from amongst Anganwadi Helpers.
• Anganwadi Karyakarti Bima Yojana (AKBY) for Anganwadi Workers/Anganwadi Helpers.

This information was given by Minister of Women & Child Development, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi in reply to a question in Lok Sabha today.