Shillong: The Union of Cook-cum-Helpers under the PM POSHAN Scheme in Meghalaya has formally requested Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to raise their monthly honorarium. The workers are calling for an increase from the current central share of Rs 900 to Rs 9,000, arguing that the pay has remained stagnant for more than twenty years despite the rising cost of living.
Gena Nengnong, the union president, stated that the current payment fails to recognize the essential work performed by these employees in keeping schoolchildren fed and healthy. She noted that while the Meghalaya government raised its monthly contribution from Rs 100 to Rs 1,100 in 2022 under Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, the central portion has not been adjusted. Nengnong said, "the existing honorarium was inadequate and it failed to reflect the valuable service rendered by the cook-cum-helpers across the country."
The union has made multiple attempts to address these financial struggles with the central government, including sending representations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2022 and a reminder to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan earlier this year. Despite these efforts, the workers report that they have yet to receive a response. The union is now looking for a positive intervention from the Finance Minister to resolve these concerns during the upcoming session of Parliament.
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