Government of India has been fully conscious of the significance of voluntary efforts put in by these honorary workers and, therefore, consistent efforts have been made to improve their working conditions by extending facilities / benefits from time to time.
The AWWs and AWHs are paid fixed honorarium per month as decided by the Government from time to time. Presently, AWWs are paid Honoraria of Rs. 3000/- per month w.e.f. 01-04-2011.
The AWHs and AWWs of Mini- Anganwadi Centres are paid honoraria of Rs. 1500/- per month w.e.f. 01-04-2011. Recently, AWWs of Mini – AWCs are being paid honoraria of Rs. 2250/- w.e.f. 04-07-2013.
Apart from these, additional amount of honoraria are also paid by most of the State Governments / UT Administrations from their own resources.
Since AWWs and AWHs are honorary workers, they cannot be declared as Govt. employees.
In a ruling of 7.12.2006 in Civil Appeal No.4953-4957 of 1998 State of Karnataka & Ors. Vs.Ameerbi & Ors., the Hon’ble Supreme Court has also held that Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers do not hold any civil post and Minimum Wages Act is also not applicable to them.
This was stated by Smt. Krishna Tirath, Minister for Women and Child Development, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha today.
