SHILLONG, June 19: The Union of Cook-cum-Helpers under the PM POSHAN Scheme in Meghalaya has urged Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to increase the honorarium paid to cook-cum-helpers, particularly in the Northeast.
In a representation submitted to the minister on Friday, the union welcomed her visit to Meghalaya and expressed hope that the central government would address the long-pending concerns of the thousands of cook-cum-helpers.
The union requested the Centre to increase the monthly honorarium from its present share of Rs 900 to Rs 9,000, stating that the amount has remained unchanged for over two decades despite rising inflation and increasing living costs.According to the union, the cook-cum-helpers play a crucial role in ensuring that schoolchildren receive hot and nutritious meals every day, thereby contributing to the education and well-being of future generations.
Gena Nengnong, president of the union, said the existing honorarium was inadequate and it failed to reflect the valuable service rendered by the cook-cum-helpers across the country.
She pointed out that while the Meghalaya government had increased its contribution from Rs 100 to Rs 1,100 per month in 2022 under the leadership of Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, the Centre’s share remained stagnant at Rs 900.
Nengnong said the increase by the state government provided some relief to workers and boosted their morale, but maintaining a livelihood remained a challenge due to the low honorarium and irregular payments from the Centre.
She said the union repeatedly appealed to the central government for a revision of the honorarium, submitting representations to Prime Minister Narendra Modi since 2022. A reminder was sent to Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan earlier this year but the union is still awaiting a response, she added.
Expressing hope that the matter would receive sympathetic consideration, Nengnong said the cook-cum-helpers across the Northeast were looking forward to positive intervention from the central government.
The union also urged the Centre to take a decision on the issue during the upcoming Parliament session.
Nengnong was hopeful that Sitharaman would carry the concerns of the workers back to New Delhi and help facilitate a favourable outcome for their welfare.
