Shillong, Sept 22: The sit-in protest by mid-day meal cooks under PM Poshan in Meghalaya entered its 22nd day on Tuesday, with the protesters saying they are yet to receive a response from New Delhi.
The strike, which will continue until September 30, was launched to demand an increase in their central honorarium, which they say has remained unchanged for the past two decades. Hundreds of cooks across the state have stopped work since September 1.
Union president Gina Nengnong said the agitation was launched after repeated pleas since 2019 went unanswered.
“We have been sending letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2019 through the All Jaintia Midday Meal Workers. In 2023, we formed the Union of Cook cum Helper PM Poshan Meghalaya and wrote to the Prime Minister, Education Minister and Finance Minister, but till date we have received no reply,” she said.
The cooks currently receive Rs 2000 per month, of which Rs 900 is the Centre’s share under the 90:10 funding pattern, while Rs 1100 comes from the state. The state increased its share from Rs 100 to Rs 1100 in 2022 under Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma.
“The Centre’s Rs 900 has remained the same for 20 years. With rising prices, we cannot manage anymore,” Nengnong said, demanding that the central share be raised to Rs 9000.
She said any disruption to the scheme would affect children and poor families and urged the Prime Minister to respond at the earliest.
