Bhubaneswar, September 22: Thousands of mid-day meal cooks, men and women, staged a demonstration in front of the Odisha Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, demanding better pay and government recognition.
The protest was held as the Odisha Assembly’s Monsoon Session began. Carrying an eight-point charter of demands, the cooks gathered at Lower PMG and marched towards the Assembly to press the state government to address their long-pending demands.
The protesters said they are currently receiving an allowance of only Rs 3,000 per month, which they described as inadequate. They demanded that their monthly remuneration be increased to at least the level of the prevailing minimum daily wage for labourers.
Among their other demands, the cooks sought recognition as government employees and the provision of a specific uniform or dress for their work.
They also urged the state government to provide life insurance coverage to mid-day meal cooks. They demanded that in the event of the death of a cook while on duty, the government should provide appropriate financial compensation to the bereaved family.
The demonstration was organised by the Odisha Madhyanbhojan Pachak Pachika Mahasagha and was led by Janak Pradhan and Nirupama Mihant.
More than 1 lakh 40 thousandmid-day meal cooks are now engaged in providing the mid-day meals to school students and Anganwadi children accross the state , said Nirupama Mihant., Secretary, Mahasangha
The protesters urged the Odisha government to consider their eight-point charter of demands and take steps to improve their working conditions and financial security.
