Anganwadi Workers Stage Statewide Protest in Assam Demanding Government Employee Status
In a significant display of collective dissent, hundreds of Anganwadi workers and helpers participated in a major protest demonstration at Makum in Tinsukia district of Assam on Thursday. The protestors are demanding official recognition as regular government employees with appropriate wages, moving away from the current honorarium system that they argue fails to adequately compensate their crucial frontline work.
Statewide Demonstration Against Budget Neglect
The protest formed part of a coordinated statewide demonstration organized by the Assam State Anganwadi Workers and Helpers' Association (ASAWHA). Participants expressed profound dissatisfaction with what they described as systematic neglect in the Union Budget 2026–27, particularly regarding frontline workers operating under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), which has been redesignated as PM Poshan-2.
Protest leaders emphasized that despite their essential role in delivering six critical services at the grassroots level, the budget proposals remain conspicuously silent on addressing the rights and challenges faced by Anganwadi workers and helpers across the nation.
Insufficient Allocation Despite Massive Responsibilities
An ASAWHA representative highlighted the disparity between responsibilities and resources, stating: "The total allocation of Rs 23,100 crore for Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2 for 2026–27 is expected to support nearly 8 crore children, 2 crore pregnant women, close to 26 lakh Anganwadi workers and helpers, and maintain over 14 lakh Anganwadi centres across the country. This allocation is insufficient given the scale of responsibility, infrastructure needs, and human resources involved."
The representative further emphasized that Anganwadi functionaries contribute significantly to establishing the nutritional and health foundation for children and mothers nationwide, making their proper compensation a matter of national importance.
Five Decades of Service Without Proper Recognition
Another protester articulated the long-standing frustration within the community: "Although the ICDS scheme has completed over 50 years, the workers engaged under it continue to remain neglected. We are demanding proper wages, not honorarium, and recognition as regular government employees."
This sentiment reflects a broader movement among Anganwadi workers who believe their decades of service deserve formal employment status with corresponding benefits and protections.
Honorarium Increase Fails to Address Real Financial Pressures
The association acknowledged that the Assam government increased honorarium payments from October 2025 following sustained agitation by workers. However, they contend that this increase has failed to provide meaningful financial relief due to escalating market prices and inflation affecting essential commodities.
Under the October 2025 revision, Anganwadi workers' monthly incentive was increased by Rs 1,500, raising the total from Rs 6,500 to Rs 8,000. Similarly, Anganwadi helpers' monthly incentive saw an increase of Rs 750, moving from Rs 3,250 to Rs 4,000.
An ASAWHA member explained the practical limitations of these increases: "The increase looks substantial on paper, but with the current inflation and rising costs of essential commodities, it provides little real relief to workers who are already struggling to make ends meet."
Comprehensive Demands for Employee Status
The protesters have presented clear demands to the central government, seeking formal recognition of their service through regular employee status. This status would include corresponding benefits such as provident fund contributions, pension plans, and other welfare measures currently enjoyed by government employees across various departments.
The demonstration in Tinsukia district represents a growing movement among Anganwadi workers who believe their contributions to child development, maternal health, and community welfare deserve formal employment recognition rather than temporary honorarium arrangements that fail to provide long-term financial security.
