Maharashtra minister orders revamp of incentive allowance rules for anganwadi workers and helpers

Maharashtra's Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare has directed that the rules for the incentive allowance paid to anganwadi workers and helpers be changed. She gave the direction at a meeting in Mantralaya attended by senior officials of the department.

The meeting was called over the demands of employee unions on the revised rules for the anti-incentive allowance. At the meeting, Tatkare asked officials to prepare a proposal for determining the incentive allowance. The proposal is to be based on criteria such as nutrition, health, pre-school education, attendance and home visits.

Integrated Child Development Services Scheme Commissioner Madhavi Sardeshmukh, Joint Secretary V. R. Thakur and other officials were present.

In the state, 1,08,627 anganwadi workers and 1,05,470 anganwadi helpers are working to look after the nutrition of children aged zero to six years and pregnant mothers. They have been paid an incentive allowance every month since October 1, 2024, based on the quality of their work. Workers have received between Rs 1,500 and Rs 2,000, and helpers between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000.

The meeting also reviewed three schemes run by the Integrated Child Development Services Commissionerate: the Additional Feeding Scheme, the Adarsh Anganwadi Scheme and the Baby Care Kit Scheme. Tatkare also gave officials directions on implementing these schemes in the financial year 2026-27.