The Union Finance Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee while presenting the Union Budget for 2011-12 has announced that the remuneration of Anganwadi workers and Anganwadi helpers who are the backbone of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme are being enhanced from April 1, 2011. He said that the remuneration for Anganwadi workers would be increased from Rs.1,500 per month to Rs.3,000 per month and for Angnwadi helpers from Rs.750 per month to Rs.1,500 per month.

The Finance Minister pointed out that around 22 lakh Anganwadi workers and helpers would benefit from this increase.

Remuneration increase for Anganwadi workers and helpers raises monthly pay and expands income support for beneficiaries nationwide. Enhancement of remuneration for Anganwadi personnel increases monthly pay for frontline workers under the Integrated Child Development Services scheme. The central budgetary announcement raises the monthly stipend for Anganwadi workers and for Anganwadi helpers as a direct income-support measure, effective from the commencement of the fiscal period specified in the announcement, and extends improved compensation to the broad cohort of registered workers and helpers.