The National People’s Party (NPP) Nagaland unit has expressed serious concern over what it termed the “continuing neglect” of Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Helpers (AWHs) in the state, pointing out that Nagaland is the only state in India that does not provide any additional honorarium beyond the baseline fixed by the Union Government.
According to official notifications of the Central Government as well as reports carried in local media, Anganwadi Workers in Nagaland receive only the standard honorarium revised by the Government of India in 2018—Rs 4,500 per month for workers in main centres, Rs 3,500 for those in mini centres, and Rs 2,250 for Anganwadi Helpers. In addition, performance incentives amount to Rs 500 for AWWs and Rs 250 for AWHs.
While this serves as the baseline across India, the NPP noted that almost every other state and Union Territory supplements it with a state-level contribution, leaving Nagaland as the lone exception.
Citing data from the Department of Social Welfare, NPP said Nagaland currently has 60 ICDS projects with 3,980 Anganwadi Centres catering to around 3.45 lakh beneficiaries, including children aged 0–6 years, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. There are 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 elsewhere,” the party alleged.
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Even states in the Northeast, despite financial constraints, have extended top-up honorariums. Assam adds Rs 2,000 for AWWs and Rs 1,000 for AWHs, Meghalaya provides Rs 1,500–Rs 2,000, Tripura contributes among the highest—up to Rs 5,946 for AWWs and Rs 4,218 for AWHs—while Mizoram adds Rs 450 and Rs 250, and Manipur offers approximately Rs 1,000 and Rs 600, the NPP stated.
“Nagaland, however, contributes Rs 0, leaving its frontline workforce at the bare minimum,” the NPP underlined.
Highlighting the significance of this issue, the party said Anganwadi Workers, who are predominantly women, play a crucial role in women empowerment and child development through the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). “If poorer states like Tripura and Mizoram can provide additional support, why not Nagaland?” it questioned.
The NPP Nagaland State Unit urged the state government to immediately introduce a state-level honorarium component for Anganwadi Workers and Helpers, match at least the Northeastern average to ensure parity, and recognize 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 party said, reaffirming its solidarity with Anganwadi Workers and Helpers and vowing to raise the issue at every platform.
