Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made several important announcements, announcing the Union Budget 2025. In this budget, along with giving relief to different sections of the country, emphasis was laid on development schemes. Especially the announcement of the improvement in the pay scale of ASHA and Anganwadi workers under the Ministry of Home Affairs attracted everyone’s attention. This step is towards recognizing the significant contribution of these workers and improving their economic status.
Union Budget 2025 and Home Minister announced
Home Minister Amit Shah gave his response to the budget 2025, calling it a “blueprint of the Modi government’s foresight”. He made a special announcement regarding the pay scale of Asha and Anganwadi workers, in which new schemes were announced for state employees and new schemes were also announced.
The main objective of Budget 2025:
- Women Empowerment: ASHA and Anganwadi workers’ increase in salary.
- Poor and middle class: tax exemption and other benefits.
- Health and Nutrition: Benefits of Saksham Anganwadi scheme.
- Economic Development: Encourage MSME sector.
Overview Table
Name of the scheme | Description |
Purpose of the scheme | Empowerment of Asha and Anganwadi workers |
Beneficiary | Asha, Anganwadi workers and state employees |
Salary increment | up to 20 |
Additional benefits | Health Insurance, Pension |
Applied area | All India |
Financial allocation | ₹ 2,33,211 crore (Ministry of Home Affairs) |
date started | Financial year 2025-26 |
Concerned ministry | Home ministry |
Pay scale improvements for Asha and Anganwadi workers
Asha and Anganwadi workers are considered the backbone of health and nutrition services in rural India. Keeping in mind their services, the government has announced to increase their pay scale by 20%. Apart from this, they will also be provided facilities like health insurance and pension.
The main point of this scheme:
- Salary hike: Now these workers will get minimum ₹ 10,000 per month.
- Health Insurance: Coverage up to ₹ 5 lakhs.
- Pension Scheme: ₹ 3,000 monthly pension after retirement.
- Training Program: New training programs to increase their efficiency.
New schemes for state employees
The Home Minister also made several announcements for the state employees:
- Dearness allowance (DA): DA 4% increase.
- Social Security Schemes: Improvement in pension schemes.
- Workplace improvement: Better facilities and digital infrastructure.
Saksham Anganwadi Scheme
The competent Anganwadi scheme announced in Budget 2025 will benefit 8 crore children and 1 crore pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. The objective of this scheme is to provide nutritious food to children and provide health services to women.
Planning characteristics:
- Free nutritional food to children.
- Regular health checkup to pregnant women.
- Smartphone in all Anganwadis to keep digital records.
Increased budget of Home Ministry
In Budget 2025, ₹ 2,33,211 crore has been allotted to the Ministry of Home Affairs. This is ₹ 13,567 crore more than the previous year. Use of this amount:
- Central police forces (CAPF) for CRPF, BSF, CISF etc.
- Intelligence will be done to strengthen institutions like Bureau (IB) and NDRF.
Benefits from this step
Effect on women:
- Economic freedom will increase.
- Social status will improve.
Impact on rural areas:
- Health services will improve.
- The nutritional level of children will be better.
Impact on state employees:
- Increase in dearness allowance will increase purchasing power.
- Digital features will make functioning easier.
Challenges
Although this announcement is commendable, some challenges may also come out:
- Ensuring correct use of budgetary allocation.
- To implement schemes effectively to rural areas.
- To provide facilities to all the beneficiaries at the right time.
conclusion
The Union Budget 2025 has taken relief steps for different sections of the country. Especially ASHA and improvement in the pay scale of Anganwadi workers is a major step which can prove to be a milestone towards women empowerment.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on government announcements. The implementation of plans in reality depends on time.