Honorarium For ASHA, Anganwadi Workers Hiked

Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced an increase in the honorarium for Anganwadi workers and ASHAs from next month.

He announced a significant increase in the honorarium being given to Anganwadi workers. Those receiving Rs 3,000 so far, would now get Rs 4,500. Similarly, it has been increased to Rs 3,500 for those receiving Rs 2,200.

The honorarium for Anganwadi helpers has also been raised to Rs 2,250 per month from Rs 1,500.

The Prime Minister announced this during an interaction through video bridge with lakhs of ASHAs, Anganwadi and Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) workers across the country, an official release said.

He also announced that Anganwadi workers and helpers using techniques such as Common Application Software (ICDS-CAS) would get additional incentives. It would range from Rs 250 to Rs 500 and would be based on their performance.

In addition, all ASHAs and their helpers would be provided free insurance cover under Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and Prime Minister Suraksha Bima Yojana.

He appreciated their effort to work together, use innovative means and technology, improve the delivery of health and nutrition services and achieve the goal of Poshan Abhiyan- reduction of malnutrition in the country.

The Prime Minister recognised the contribution of grassroot health workers and thanked them for their efforts in building strong and healthy nation.

The interaction was organised as part of ‘Poshan Maah’ being observed this month. The programme aims at taking the message of nutrition to every household.

The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts and dedication of the team three ‘As’ – ASHA, ANM and Anganwadi workers for effective implementation of Mission Indradhanush and for providing vaccination cover to more than three lakh pregnant women and 85 crore children.

During the interaction, the Prime Minister urged them to spread further information about Surakshit Matritva Abhiyaan.

He also acclaimed the success of Newborn Care, which benefits 1.25 million children of the country every year. It has been renamed as Home-Based Childcare under which the ASHAs will visit 11 times in the first 15 month as against the earlier 6 visits in the first 42 days of birth.