Question : ANGANWADI CENTRES

(a): The number of Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) in the country, State-wise;

(b): Whether some AWCs are working without the basic facilities;

(c): If so, the details thereof alongwith action taken by the Government in this regard;

(d): the details of training imparted to the Anganwadi workers/helpers;

(e): the number of Anganwadi Workers/ helpers in the country and the present salaries thereof;

(f): whether the Government proposes to raise the salaries/allowances of these Anganwadi workers and helpers including women Anganwadi workers/helpers; and

(g): if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)

(a): As on 31.12.2009, there are 11, 04,262 operational Anganwadi Centres (AWCs)/ mini-AWCs in the country. State-wise details are given in Annexure.

(b)& (c) : Government has reviewed the basic facilities like AWC’s buildings, availability of drinking water, toilet, separate kitchen and cooking equipments available at AWCs in December 2009. Out of 10,27,694 AWCs working then, 80.16% AWCs have been reported to be working from Pucca buildings including rented buildings; 28.12% AWCs have drinking water facilities, 22.11% have toilet facilities, 25.50% AWCs have separate Kitchen and 52.21% AWCs have cooking equipments. State Government/UT Administrations have been requested to construct pucca AWC buildings along with facilities with assistance from community, MPLADs, MLALADS, BRGF, RIDF, MSDP of Minority Affairs, NREGA and Tribal Affairs etc. States/UTs have also been requested to have effective convergence with various Departments/ Schemes like Total Sanitation Campaign, Drinking Water Supply and Area Development Schemes of other Ministries etc. Department of Drinking Water Supply, M/o Rural Development have been requested to provide water supply and sanitation linkages to AWC under their programmes. Besides, Government had also requested to the 13th Finance Commission for giving separate Provision of construction of AWCs.

(d): All Anganwadi functionaries, including Anganwadi Workers and Helpers, are imparted initial Job Training to familiarize them with the ICDS programme and enhance their awareness and knowledge of issues concerning children and women. They are also given refresher training, from time to time, to update their knowledge and skills for better services delivery. AWWs/ AWHs, who can not be deputed to Job Training immediately on recruitment, are given short term Induction Training.

(e) to (g): There are 10,60,602 Anganwadi Workers and 10,38,962 Anganwadi Helpers in the country as on 31.12.2009. The Anganwadi Workers/helpers are ‘Honorary Workers’ selected from the local community and paid a monthly honoraria. Presently, the honorarium being paid to Anganwadi Workers ranges from Rs.1438/- to Rs. 1563/- per month, depending upon their qualifications and experience, whereas Anganwadi Helpers and Anganwadi Workers engaged in Mini-AWCs are paid an honorarium of Rs.750/- per month. Details are available at Ministry’s website www.wcd.nic.in/icds.htm. The rates of the honoraria being paid to Anganwadi Workers and Helpers have been revised upwards w.e.f. 1.4.2008. There is no proposal at present for hike in their honoraria.