Kohima, September 19 (MExN): The National People’s Party (NPP), Nagaland State Unit, has expressed concern over what it termed as the continuing neglect of Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Helpers (AWHs) in the state. It stated that reports in local media as well as official Central Government notifications confirm that Nagaland is the only state in India that does not provide any additional honorarium to Anganwadi Workers and Helpers beyond the baseline fixed by the Union Government.
According to the NPP, the current Central Government honorarium as per the PIB, Government of India 2018 revision, is Rs 4,500 per month for Anganwadi Workers in main centres, Rs 3,500 per month for Anganwadi Workers in mini centres, and Rs 2,250 per month for Anganwadi Helpers. Performance incentives stand at Rs 500 per month for AWWs and Rs 250 per month for AWHs. While this is the baseline across India, the party pointed out that almost every other state and Union Territory supplements this with a state-level contribution. “Unfortunately, Nagaland stands out as the only exception,” it stated.
Citing figures from the Department of Social Welfare, Nagaland, the NPP said there are 60 ICDS projects with 3,980 Anganwadi Centres serving about 3.45 lakh beneficiaries, including children aged 0-6 years, pregnant women and lactating mothers. According to worker association data, Nagaland has 3,955 Anganwadi Workers and 3,481 Anganwadi Helpers actively serving the state. Yet, all these workers receive no support from the state exchequer, unlike their counterparts in other states.
The NPP highlighted that even states in the Northeast region, despite financial constraints, have shown commitment to supplementing the Union Government’s honorarium. Assam adds Rs 2,000 for AWWs and Rs 1,000 for AWHs, Meghalaya provides Rs 1,500–Rs 2,000 as top-up support, Tripura contributes up to Rs 5,946 for AWWs and Rs 4,218 for AWHs, Mizoram adds Rs 450 for AWWs and Rs 250 for AWHs, and Manipur provides around Rs 1,000 for AWWs and Rs 600 for AWHs. “Nagaland, however, contributes Rs 0, leaving its frontline workforce at the bare minimum,” the NPP underscored.
The party stressed that this issue is not merely about wages but about women empowerment, child development, and state responsibility. It noted that Anganwadi Workers are primarily women whose work deserves dignity and recognition, and that ICDS centres are critical for nutrition, maternal health and early learning. “If poorer states like Tripura and Mizoram can add support, why not Nagaland?” it asked.
The NPP Nagaland State Unit urged the Government of Nagaland to immediately introduce a state-level honorarium component for Anganwadi Workers and Helpers, match at least the northeastern average to ensure parity and fairness, and recognise that investment in Anganwadi workers is an investment in Nagaland’s children and future generations.
“Nagaland cannot continue to lag behind while our neighboring states move ahead in supporting their frontline workforce. The NPP reaffirms its solidarity with all Anganwadi Workers and Helpers of Nagaland and will raise this issue at every platform,” it stated.
