Anganwadi workers and helpers to get a range of benefits before Durga Puja, says Minister Tinku Roy

At a press conference of the Social Welfare and Social Education Department at the New Secretariat in Agartala, Minister Tinku Roy outlined a range of benefits for anganwadi workers and helpers ahead of Durga Puja and Diwali, and the progress of the department’s schemes.

On the occasion of Durga Puja and Diwali, the minister extended advance greetings to the people of the state and to everyone in the department, from anganwadi workers and helpers to staff at every level and well-wishers.

New anganwadi centres sanctioned: 10,479 anganwadi centres are currently running in the state. A further 55 have been sanctioned under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, which will take the total to 10,534 once they open.

Pucca buildings for anganwadi centres: The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development has sanctioned a first instalment of ₹2.40 crore under PM JANMAN to build pucca buildings for 83 anganwadi centres.

National Family Benefit Scheme: Under this scheme of the Union Ministry of Rural Development, a one-time assistance of ₹20,000 is given to a below-poverty-line family when its main earning member, aged 18 to 60, dies suddenly.

So far in the 2026–27 financial year, 504 families have been identified and paid ₹20,000 each directly into their bank accounts, at a total cost of ₹1,00,80,000.

Before Durga Puja, the department has decided to give anganwadi workers and helpers the following benefits in addition to their monthly honorarium.

Community-based events under Poshan Maah: ₹500 per centre is being given to hold community-based events at every anganwadi centre for Poshan Maah. The payment is being processed through the CDPOs and is expected to reach workers before Durga Puja, at a total cost of ₹52,39,500 for 10,479 centres.

Incentives for anganwadi workers and helpers: Incentives for the seven months from January to July 2026 are being processed — ₹500 a month for eligible workers who complete 80% height and weight measurement and 60% home visits as per the Poshan Tracker, and ₹250 a month for eligible helpers who keep the centre open for at least 21 days a month. They are expected to be paid before Durga Puja, at a total cost of ₹4,70,83,000.

Mobile recharge: Anganwadi workers have already been paid for recharging the phones they use for official work from April to August 2026. Payment for September, October and November 2026 is being processed and is expected before Durga Puja, at a total cost of ₹56,58,660.

Contingency for anganwadi centres: ₹1,000 per centre is being allocated as contingency for 2026–27, a total of ₹1,04,79,000.

Uniform grant: ₹1,000 is being given to every anganwadi worker and helper to buy uniforms (saree/pachra) for 2026–27 — ₹2,000 per centre — with a total allocation of ₹2,09,58,000.

Medicine kit: Anganwadi workers will be given ₹1,500 per centre for a medicine kit, with a total allocation of ₹1,57,18,500.

Festival grant and advance: Every anganwadi worker and helper will receive a festival grant of ₹2,610 for Durga Puja — ₹210 more than Group-C and Group-D employees — and a festival advance of ₹5,000.

Incentive under PMMVY: Eligible anganwadi workers who help pregnant and lactating mothers receive Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana benefits are being given incentives for five months — ₹150 for the first instalment, ₹100 for the second and ₹250 for a second girl child — at a total cost of ₹13,00,000.

Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) feeding bills: With funds from the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development, all anganwadi workers have been paid their pending SNP feeding bills up to July 2026, at a total cost of ₹23 crore 39 lakh 8 thousand.

In addition, the third instalment was received from the Ministry on 30-09-2026, and the pending feeding bills for August and September 2026 will be paid to anganwadi workers from it very soon.