West Bengal Government Raises Honorarium for ASHA and Anganwadi Workers from August 1

KalimNews, July 11, 2026, Kalimpong: In a major welfare initiative for frontline health and childcare workers, the West Bengal government has announced a substantial increase in the monthly honorarium of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), Anganwadi Workers, and Anganwadi Helpers. The revised honorarium will come into effect from August 1, 2026, and is expected to benefit thousands of workers across the state, including those serving in the Darjeeling Hills, Terai, and Dooars.

The decision, approved by the Governor and issued through a memorandum by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, raises the monthly fixed honorarium of ASHA workers from ₹6,250 to ₹11,250. The enhanced amount will be paid in addition to the performance-based incentives that ASHAs receive under the National Health Mission (NHM).

The memorandum stated that the proposal to enhance the honorarium had been under the active consideration of the government for some time. The order was issued with the concurrence of the State Finance Department, referring to its order dated July 8, 2026, and the required funds will be released in due course.

Under the revised pay structure, Anganwadi Workers will receive a monthly honorarium of ₹14,000, while Anganwadi Helpers will receive ₹11,800 per month. Previously, Anganwadi Workers were receiving ₹9,000, while Anganwadi Helpers were paid ₹6,500 per month.

According to official estimates, West Bengal has around 65,000 ASHA workers and more than two lakh Anganwadi Workers and Helpers, including those serving in the Darjeeling Hills, Terai, and Dooars. The revised honorarium is expected to provide significant financial relief and greater recognition for the services rendered by these frontline workers.

The increase follows long-standing demands from ASHA workers for better remuneration. In January this year, hundreds of ASHA workers staged demonstrations outside Swasthya Bhawan in Salt Lake, urging the government to revise their honorarium and improve their service conditions. The latest decision addresses one of their principal demands.

Welcoming the announcement, BJP leader Debjit Sarkar said the enhancement fulfilled a commitment made by the party in its election manifesto. He stated that the revised honorarium reflected the government's commitment to strengthening the welfare of frontline health workers and acknowledged the vital role they play in delivering healthcare services across the state.

The revised monthly honorarium, effective August 1, 2026, will be as follows:

• ASHA Workers: ₹11,250 per month (increased from ₹6,250), in addition to NHM performance-based incentives.
• Anganwadi Workers: ₹14,000 per month.
• Anganwadi Helpers: ₹11,800 per month.

The enhancement has been widely viewed as a significant recognition of the dedicated service rendered by ASHA workers, Anganwadi Workers, and Anganwadi Helpers, who play a crucial role in maternal and child healthcare, nutrition programmes, immunisation drives, and community health services, often working under challenging conditions across urban and rural West Bengal.