Shillong, Sep 22: Cooks under the PM-POSHAN scheme across Meghalaya staged simultaneous sit-in protests on Tuesday as their indefinite cease-cooking strike entered day 22, demanding continuation of the scheme and enhancement of honorarium from Rs 2,000 to Rs 10,000 per month.
The state-wide protest was held at Khyndailad in Shillong, Ummulong in Jowai and near the Deputy Commissioner’s office at Khliehriat in East Jaintia Hills. Garo Hills will hold its protest on September 25.
The agitation, which began on September 1 and will continue till September 30, has halted mid-day meals in schools.
Speaking in Shillong, Union of Cook cum Helpers PM POSHAN Meghalaya president Gina Nengnong said they were forced to strike after months of unanswered appeals. “Through All Jaintia Midday Meal Worker since 2019 we have sent letters to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding to enhance our honorarium,” she said.
She said the union was formally formed in 2023 and has since written repeatedly to the PM, Education Minister and Finance Minister with no reply. “Twenty-two days into the strike, there has been no response from the centre,” she said.
The honorarium is shared 90:10 between Centre and State. The Centre’s share of Rs 900 has remained unchanged for 20 years. The state hiked its share in 2022 from Rs 100 to Rs 1,100 under Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma. Total monthly pay is Rs 2,000.
“We can no longer manage because prices have risen. We demand Rs 9,000 from Centre, Rs 10,000 total,” Nengnong said, warning, “If he stops this scheme, it will be a loss for children because this scheme has helped many poor families.”
In Jowai, Association Adviser Khroo L. Pariat said the scheme’s tenure ended March 31, 2026 and has only been continued as a temporary extension by Finance Ministry from April-September. He demanded permanent continuation and said cooks from Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur and Assam share the same demand. He added the state government has also taken up the enhancement demand with the Centre.
In Khliehriat, the All Jaiñtia Mid Day Meal Workers Union, East Jaintia Hills Unit, joined by the All Jaiñtia Muster Roll Workers and Labour Union led by president Pdiangmon Chyrmang, secretary B Bareh, treasurer Leki Bareh and Ester Swer, warned the strike will continue if wages are not hiked.
“What is the use of supplying rice to schools if cooks don’t work? We were appointed as cooks, not rice distributors,” they said, noting that with cooks on strike, rice sent to schools is just being distributed to children.
In South West Khasi Hills, Cook-Cum-Helpers President Aibianghun Nongsiej, who led the sit-in at Jakrem, said the Rs 900 honorarium is not only meagre but also irregular, sometimes received once in three or four months, causing severe hardship.
She said enhancement to Rs 9,000 would provide better support for workers and families amid rising prices, and that the protest is aimed at making Prime Minister Narendra Modi aware of their plight.
Nongsiej said the union has given the government till October 9, 2026 to resolve their demands, failing which it may take stronger steps including stopping cooking services in schools.
The cooks said they work up to six hours a day and their work and earnings no longer match, urging PM Modi to act quickly so that cooks retain jobs and children continue attending school.
