Shillong, Jul 11: Hundreds of cook-cum-helpers engaged under the PM Poshan Scheme have demanded the immediate release of pending honorarium, stating that non-payment for the last three months has pushed them into financial hardship.
The workers met at a general meeting of the Union of Cook-cum-Helpers under PM Poshan Scheme, Meghalaya, in Umsning on Saturday to discuss the matter.
Union leaders said dues for April, May and June remain unpaid, and with July underway the delay has now entered the fourth month.
President of the union, Gina Nengnong, secretary Charles Star Shongwan, Ri Bhoi unit president Banalis Syiem and adviser Khroo L Pariat addressed the gathering. They reiterated that despite multiple appeals to relevant authorities, the honorarium for these workers remains unpaid.
The union has urged both the state and central governments to prioritise the immediate disbursement of pending dues, and also to consider increasing the honorarium. Leaders highlighted that the current payment is insufficient when compared to the essential role these workers play in providing nutritious meals to school children on a daily basis.
Apart from wages, the meeting served as an awareness programme. Union leaders asked workers to continue performing duties diligently and to ensure regular meal service in schools.
They also advised members to carefully inspect food grains and other supplies received under the scheme and to immediately report any issues regarding the quality of rice or other groceries to authorities.
The gathering concluded with a collective plea to improve the working conditions of cook-cum-helpers and reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the PM Poshan Scheme across Meghalaya.
