Bihar government today gave its nod to increase the monthly honorarium of Anganwadi Sevikas (workers) and Sahayikas (helpers) working in the state.

Additional Chief Secretary of cabinet secretariat department Arvind Kumar Chaudhary told media persons here that a decision to this effect was taken in cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar.

Anganwadi Sevikas honorarium had been hiked to Rs 9,000 from Rs 7,000 per month while that of Sahayikas has been increased to Rs 4,500 from Rs 4,000 per month, he informed.

"Cabinet sanctioned additional fund of Rs 345.19 crore for the purpose," he said adding that the hike in honorarium would be effective from September 1, 2025.

"These Anganwadi Sevikas and Sahayikas play an important role in implementation of Integrated Child Development (ICDS) scheme. It would help them deal with the inflation and increasing price rise besides help improve their living standard," Chaudhary stated. Angwadi Sevikas and Sahayikas- working in around 1.20 lakh Anganwadi Centres across the state would be benefitted from the monthly hike in the honorarium.

While recognising their important role in improving nutrition and living standards of children and pregnant women in the state, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar had announced through social media post on X about the hike in the monthly honorarium of Anganwadi Sevikas (workers) and Sahayikas (helpers).

ICDS, which works under Social Welfare Department, is primarily concerned with the implementation of schemes related to children in the age group of 0-6 years, adolescent girls as well as pregnant and lactating women.