Shillong, September 22: Hundreds of cooks engaged under the PM Poshan scheme in Meghalaya have stopped work since September 1, demanding a substantial increase in their honorarium from the Centre, which they said has remained unchanged for nearly two decades. The cooks staged a sit-in at Khyndailad in Shillong on Tuesday as their agitation entered its 22nd day, with union leaders claiming that they have yet to receive any response from the Central government.
Union president Gina Nengnong said the workers were compelled to launch the agitation after repeated representations made since 2019 failed to draw a response. She said the All Jaintia Midday Meal Workers had been submitting letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2019. In 2023, the Union of Cook-cum-Helper PM Poshan Meghalaya was formed and subsequently submitted representations to the Prime Minister, Union Education Minister and Union Finance Minister. “Till date, we have not received any reply,” Nengnong said.
At present, the cooks receive an honorarium of Rs 2,000 per month. Of this, Rs 900 is provided by the Centre under the 90:10 funding pattern, while Rs 1,100 is contributed by the Meghalaya government. The State government had increased its share from Rs 100 to Rs 1,100 in 2022 under Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
Nengnong said the Centre’s contribution of Rs 900 has remained unchanged for around 20 years despite the continuous rise in prices and the cost of living. She said the union is demanding that the Centre increase its contribution to Rs 9,000 per month.
The union president said the strike would continue until September 30 unless there is a response to their demand. She also stressed the importance of the PM Poshan scheme, saying its disruption would adversely affect schoolchildren, particularly those from economically weaker families. “If this scheme is stopped, children and poor families will suffer. This scheme has helped many children. We urge the Prime Minister to respond quickly,” she said.
