CM announces hike in stipend for anganwadi workers, helpers

Patna: CM Nitish Kumar on Monday announced an increase in the honorarium of anganwadi sevikas (workers) and sahayikas (assistants). Taking to social media, the CM said anganwadi sevikas, who were receiving Rs 7,000 per month, will now be given Rs 9,000, while anganwadi sahayikas will receive Rs 4,500 per month, up from Rs 4,000 earlier.

The CM hailed the work delivered by these women, saying that they have played a crucial role in improving the lives of pregnant women and children, particularly focusing on nutrition. Nitish said the decision to increase their honorarium was a way to honour the work they had been doing.

He added that since the formation of his govt in Nov 2005, extensive efforts have been undertaken to improve the nutrition and health of pregnant women and children. “They have been providing six types of services through the Integrated Child Development Project, and both the anganwadi workers and assistants play an important role in delivering these services to the beneficiaries through anganwadi centres,” he said.

“In view of their important contribution, it has been decided to increase their honorarium. This will boost the morale of all anganwadi workers and assistants and the integrated child development services will improve further,” he wrote on X.

It is to be noted that recently, the Nitish govt has announced various schemes and projects, as well as increases in pensions and monetary support for different groups in poll-bound Bihar, with special focus on women. The day before, the CM launched a portal for receiving applications related to the Mukhyamantri Mahila Rozgar Yojana, under which one woman from every family will be provided financial assistance to start a business.