Shillong: PM POSHAN cook-cum-helpers in Meghalaya held a birthday celebration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. They did not bake a cake. Instead, they used his 76th birthday to turn up the heat on the central government regarding their flat pay rates.
The event took place in Jowai and was coordinated by the Union of Cook-cum-Helpers PM POSHAN Meghalaya, Shillong, alongside the All Jaintia Mid Day Meal Workers Union. These workers have been stuck on the same honorarium for years. They say their work keeps children fed and helps families who rely on daily wages stay afloat.
The group remains on an indefinite strike to demand better financial support. They insist the Centre must recognize their role in the school meal programme. A union spokesperson stated, "The unions said they would continue to pursue their demands through peaceful and democratic means, while urging the Centre to address the concerns of the workers who form an important part of the implementation of the PM POSHAN programme."
Protests will grow louder soon. The workers plan to hold peaceful sit-ins at every district headquarters on September 22. They want firm answers from the Centre on two points: the future extension of the PM POSHAN scheme and the long-overdue bump in their monthly pay.
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