Kerala Budget 2026-27: Hike in monthly wages of anganwadi workers, helpers

The State Budget has announced an increase in the monthly wages of anganwadi workers by ₹1,000 and that of helpers by ₹500.

A Secretariat protest by anganwadi workers last year seeking an increase in honorarium was called off after assurances given by Minister for Finance K.N. Balagopal and Minister for Women and Child Development Veena George.

The outlay for the Women and Child Development (WCD) department in the Budget is ₹484.81 crore.

An amount of ₹80.9 crore has been earmarked for continuing the scheme to provide egg or milk on all working days in anganwadis in the State.

As part of a zero-tolerance approach towards gender-based violence to ensure safety and dignity of women and children, the government proposes a comprehensive expansion of care homes and support services under the Nirbhaya policy.

A home for children with intellectual disabilities will be established to add to the existing network of 14 entry homes, SOS model homes, and integrated care centres.

The Dheera project for providing martial arts training to adolescent girls will be expanded along with 14 district-level One Stop Centres.

An amount of ₹13 crore has been earmarked for continuing protection centres, legal aid services, and a survivor-centric rehabilitation programme.

An initiative to establish creches as per the Maternity Benefit Act has been allocated ₹8 crore.

An amount of ₹2 crore has been earmarked for the continuation of the Thanteyidam project, implemented by the Kerala State Housing Board in cooperation with the WCD department.