Anganwadi workers face increased duties amid ongoing admissions crisis

Anganwadi Workers Burdened with Gruha Lakshmi Verifications and SIR Duties

Mysuru: Anganwadi workers (AWWs), who earn a modest honorarium of Rs 10,000 per month and work seven-hour shifts starting at 9 a.m., are now facing additional responsibilities beyond their primary roles.

These workers are being tasked with two non-Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS) duties: verifying the status of Gruha Lakshmi beneficiaries and participating in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). According to sources in the state Women and Child Development Department, AWWs have been directed to confirm the living status of Gruha Lakshmi beneficiaries as part of an ongoing review. Their reports are being used to update the database by removing the names of deceased women.

Since July, Anganwadi workers are also being deployed as booth-level officers (BLOs) for the SIR. K Somashekar Yadgir, state president of the Karnataka State United Anganwadi Workers Association (affiliated with AIUTUC), confirmed that in some districts, workers are required to submit reports on Gruha Lakshmi beneficiaries. An official from the department noted that supervisors, in addition to AWWs, are involved in verifying beneficiary statuses. M Umadevi, the association’s secretary, added that workers are also being asked to participate in the SIR process.

The additional workload comes at a time when Anganwadi centres are busy with admissions. AWWs are responsible for supporting children, newborns, lactating mothers, and pregnant women by ensuring timely access to nutritious food, vaccines, and health advisories. These new duties have added to their already significant responsibilities.