Sonia Gandhi flags distress of ASHA and Anganwadi workers

Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday raised concerns in the Rajya Sabha over the ongoing distress faced by women workers implementing key government programs, including ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and helpers, and community resource persons under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).

Speaking in the House, Gandhi said, “I rise to draw the urgent attention of this House to the continued distress of women workers implementing critical government programs, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers and helpers, and community resource persons under the National Rural Livelihood Mission.”

She highlighted the overburdened and underpaid status of these frontline workers, noting that initiatives intended to promote women’s empowerment are not matched by adequate remuneration or support.

“Across the country, ASHA workers undertake immunisation, mobilisation, maternal health, and family welfare work, yet they remain volunteers with low honorarium and limited social security,” Gandhi said. She added that Anganwadi workers receive a meagre monthly honorarium of Rs. 4,500, while helpers are paid Rs. 2,250 by the Union Government.

Gandhi also pointed out staffing shortages, saying, “Beyond low pay, there are currently nearly three lakh vacancies in the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) at various levels. These gaps leave lakhs of children and mothers without essential services. Even when posts are filled, they fall short of population norms due to the lack of updated census figures since 2011.”

The Congress leader urged the Government to collaborate with States to fill existing vacancies, ensure timely remuneration, double the Union Government’s contribution to frontline workers’ pay, appoint an additional ASHA worker in villages with populations exceeding 2,500, and double the number of Anganwadi workers to expand early childhood education alongside nutrition and health initiatives.

“Strengthening, expanding, and supporting this workforce is an investment in India’s future,” Gandhi emphasised.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman introduced the Sabka Bima Sabki Raksha (Amendment of Insurance Laws) Bill, 2025 in the Rajya Sabha, proposing amendments to the Insurance Act, 1938, the Life Insurance Corporation Act, 1956, and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act, 1999.