Sonia Gandhi Demands Centre Double Pay for ASHA and Anganwadi Workers

New Delhi, Dec 16: Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday urged the Centre in the Rajya Sabha to double its contribution to the salaries of ASHA and anganwadi workers and address nearly 3 lakh vacant positions in the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).

Speaking during Zero Hour, Gandhi highlighted the critical role of women frontline workers, including ASHA workers, anganwadi workers, helpers, and community resource persons under the National Rural Livelihood Mission, in delivering essential public services. Despite their contributions, she noted, these workers remain underpaid and overburdened.

“Across India, ASHA workers handle immunisation, maternal health, family welfare, and community mobilisation. Yet, they continue to work as volunteers with low honorarium and limited social security,” Gandhi said. She added that anganwadi workers currently receive a base pay of Rs 4,500, with helpers paid Rs 2,250 per month by the central government.

Gandhi further stressed that nearly 3 lakh ICDS vacancies across the country leave millions of children and mothers without essential services. Even when positions are filled, the numbers fall short of population norms due to outdated census data from 2011.

The senior Congress leader called on the government to collaborate with states to fill all existing vacancies, ensure timely salaries, and increase the central contribution to workers’ pay. She also proposed appointing an additional ASHA worker in villages with populations above 2,500 and doubling the number of anganwadi workers to expand early childhood education alongside existing health and nutrition initiatives.

“Strengthening, expanding, and supporting this workforce is an investment in India’s future,” Gandhi emphasised, urging swift action to improve conditions for the nation’s frontline women workers.