Chief minister Nitish Kumar has announced a hike in the wages of Anganwadi workers and helpers across the state ahead of Bihar Assembly Elections 2025. The honorarium for Anganwadi workers has been increased from Rs 7000 to Rs 9000 per month while that of helpers has been raised from Rs 4000 to Rs 4500 per month.

“Anganwadi workers and helpers play a crucial role in improving the nutrition and living standards of children and pregnant women in the state. Honouring their significant role, we have decided to increase their honorarium. The honorarium for Anganwadi workers has now been increased from 7,000 rupees to 9,000 rupees, and the honorarium for Anganwadi helpers has been increased from 4,000 rupees to 4,500 rupees, with instructions issued to the department accordingly,” CM Nitish Kumar announced in an X post on Monday.

Anganwadi workers and helpers play a vital role in ICDS: Nitish Kumar

“Since the formation of the government in November 2005, we have undertaken large-scale efforts to improve the nutrition and health of pregnant women and children. Through the Integrated Child Development Project, six types of services are being provided. Anganwadi workers and helpers play a vital role in delivering these services to beneficiaries through Anganwadi centers. Recognising their significant contribution, the decision has been made to increase their honorarium. This will boost the morale of all Anganwadi workers and helpers and further enhance the quality of Integrated Child Development Services,” the CM further wrote on X.

Role played by Anganwadi workers in India

Anganwadi workers and helpers play a vital role in India’s Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program, focusing on maternal and child health, nutrition, and early childhood care mostly in rural areas. Their responsibilities focus on the areas of healthcare, nutrition, preschool education, health education, record keeping and community mobilisation.

Anganwadi workers provide regular health check-ups, immunizations, and referrals to health centres for children and mothers. They also offer antenatal and postnatal care to expectant mothers. They distribute supplementary nutrition, such as take-home rations and hot-cooked meals, to combat malnutrition and promote healthy growth.

They also play an important role in engaging children in age-appropriate learning activities, preparing them for formal schooling. They engage in community mobilisation encouraging families to access government schemes and services, fostering a sense of ownership and participation in health and nutrition programs. They also conduct awareness sessions on health and nutrition-related topics, empowering families to make informed choices.

They are also responsible for record keeping by maintaining accurate records of births, deaths, and health status within the community.

Honorarium increased for mid-day meal cooks in Bihar

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had announced a pay hike of Rs 1,650 for the cooks working under the mid-day meal scheme last month. The honorarium for cooks has been increased to Rs 3,330, while the pay has been doubled to Rs 10,000 for night watchmen working in secondary or higher education schools, the CM stated.

“It has been decided to double the honorarium of cooks working under the mid-day meal programme in the Education Department, increasing it from 1,650 rupees to 3,300 rupees. Similarly, the honorarium of night guard working in secondary/higher education schools has been doubled from 5,000 rupees to 10,000 rupees,” Nitish Kumar posted on X.

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