What did the Nagaland government say on the discrepancies in Anganwadi incentives?

“Only 27 Anganwadi Workers and 46 Anganwadi Workers and Helpers were deemed eligible to receive incentives”

MLA Azo Nienu expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s response to questions about incentives for Anganwadi Workers (AWW) and Anganwadi Workers and Helpers (AWH) in Nagaland during a supplementary question in the recently concluded Nagaland Legislative Assembly session.

Nienu stated that “the demand for incentives for AWW and AWH is Rs 3,000 per head,” while the government’s response indicated much lower amounts—Rs 500 for AWWs and Rs 250 for AWHs, which he deemed misleading.
He further highlighted that “out of 3,988 AWWs, only 27 have received their incentives through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).” Similarly, “out of 3,980 AWHs, only 46 were found eligible.” Nienu questioned when “the remaining eligible beneficiaries” would receive their incentives.

Responding to the concerns, Minister G Kaito Aye acknowledged that “the incentives were not fully implemented in 2022.” He mentioned that “Rs 11 crore, 1 lakh, and 18,000 were sanctioned for the Poshan Abhiyan in Nagaland,” but no specific funds were earmarked for AWW and AWH incentives.

Explaining the low eligible beneficiaries for FY 2022-23, he explained that the Poshan app tracker was launched only during the last quarter of FY 2021. During the initial roll out, he said, the app was not “fully functional because of the technical glitches, frequent upgradation and modification in the infrastructure of the app”.

“We are following guidelines set by the ministry. We have gone slowly during Covid, election’s model code of conduct, during which the department could not fully function but the department is trying its best,” he said.

He assured that the beneficiaries who are eligible under their provision will receive their benefits.

CM Neipiu Rio retorted Minister’s Aye’s reason. According to CM Rio, additionally, even the capacity building program for full functionary of AWH could not be conducted due to delayed release of fund by the ministry and was sanctioned only in April 2023.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio also addressed the issue and reiterated Kaito’s statement. CM Rio explained that the capacity-building program for AWHs was delayed due to the late release of funds by the ministry, which was only sanctioned in April 2023. He emphasized that sanctions for FY 2021-22 were not released due to a “strategic shift and the introduction of new guidelines” by the ministry.

CM Rio assured that the government is committed to ensuring that all eligible beneficiaries receive their due incentives despite ongoing challenges.

MT