The workers will be honoured by Union Minister Maneka Gandhi at a function on December 1. They will be given Rs 25,000 cash and a citation.
"The process of selection of workers for the awards was pending for the last three years as we did not receive nominations from state governments even after repeated reminders. The matter was taken up again this year and the selection process for 2011-12, 2012-13 and 2013-14 was completed," Ministry officials said.
Ministry officials said the annual awards given to AWWs for showing exemplary dedication and performance were last held in 2012.
Formulated in 2000-2001 under Centrally Sponsored Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), the awards are given to motivate AWWs.
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Those chosen for the national level awards have been selected from the state level awardees and judged on the basis of their contribution to supplementary nutrition, child care, convergence with health department, pre-school education, nutrition and health education, community participation and cleanliness, hygiene and innovation.
There are over 1022 lakh beneficiaries under ICDS scheme, comprising 829 children between 0-6 years and 193 lakh pregnant and lactating mothers. The successful implementation of the programme rests on the commitment of AWWs.