Mid-day meal workers in government schools, who play a crucial role in implementing the PM POSHAN scheme, have received only ₹2,000 for July against their monthly honorarium of ₹3,000, leaving them struggling to manage household expenses.
Workers said delayed payments have been a recurring problem, while the latest deduction has added to their financial difficulties. They said no clear reason has been given for withholding ₹1,000 from their monthly payment.
Parveen Kumari, district president of the Mid-Day Meal Workers’ Union, said the government was promoting schemes such as the ‘Mawan Dhiyan Satkar Yojana’ while failing to ensure timely and complete payments to workers serving meals in government schools.
“We are already working for a very low honorarium and have repeatedly raised the demand for an increase. Despite several meetings and protests, there has been no decision. Now, even our full payment is not being released. With festivals approaching, it has become difficult to manage household expenses,” a worker said.
The union has announced a statewide protest in Mohali on September 8 to press for an increase in the honorarium. Workers have also decided to boycott meal preparation in government schools on the day of the protest.
{{/usCountry}}The union has announced a statewide protest in Mohali on September 8 to press for an increase in the honorarium. Workers have also decided to boycott meal preparation in government schools on the day of the protest.
{{/usCountry}}The latest payment issue comes months after cook-cum-helpers stayed away from work during the reopening of government schools following summer vacation as part of a statewide protest for higher honorarium. Schools had to make alternate arrangements, with some hiring substitute cooks and others persuading workers to return. One government primary school in Ludhiana had even served samosas after failing to arrange a replacement.
Davinder Kaur, district mid-day meal in-charge, said the remaining amount would be credited shortly. “The remaining amount will be credited within a few days. The deduction has taken place across the state and is not limited to Ludhiana. The pending amount will be released soon,” she said.