Midday meal workers in district seek pending wages, new aprons

Ranchi: The Jharkhand State Midday Meal Cook and Coordinator Association on Saturday said their long pending issues, which include the non-payment of pending wages, reinstatement of workers and better working conditions, be addressed at the earliest. A delegation from the outfit handed over a charter of their demands to the district superintendent of education (DSE) Badal Raj here on Saturday.

The delegation highlighted the case of Meena Devi, a cook from govt middle school in Makunda in Itki block, who reportedly did not receive her wages from 2018 to 2021. "She lost her husband and is now facing extreme financial hardship. Her dues must be cleared, and she should be given her job back," said Asha Devi, the district president of the association.

Other key demands include scrapping of the rule that removes cooks after the age of 60. "Either the age cap should go, or a family member should be appointed in their place," Devi said.

The letter also calls for regular remuneration for coordinators, appointment of backup cooks in understaffed schools, payment to substitutes who often fill in without compensation, and distribution of aprons and caps, which were last provided in 2021. The association also demanded a hike in allowances, citing the rising cost of essentials, including eggs and vegetables.

Responding to the allegations, Raj said, "Meena Devi had not recorded her attendance after 2018. The school terminated her services based on her irregular and uncooperative conduct." On the issue of aprons and caps, he said, "These are distributed to midday meal workers every year, and no such lapse has been officially reported." Raj added that no cook was terminated for crossing 60 years.