According to government figures, approximately 65 percent of India’s 24.95 million cook-cum-helpers employed under the mid-day meal scheme, now known as PM Poshan, are paid less than Rs 2,000 per month. Since 2009, the monthly wages of this workforce in eight states and three union territories have remained frozen at Rs 1,000, despite many recommendations from Parliamentary committees over the years. According to government data, the monthly salaries in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, West Bengal, and Odisha, which jointly account for another 29.72 percent of the mid-day meal workforce, have witnessed slight increases over the years, but remain significantly below Rs 2,000 per month. The southern states and union territories, on the other hand, are light years ahead in terms of the monthly payment, with Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala paying up to Rs 21,000, Rs 12,000, and Rs 9,000, respectively, to chefs and assistants, also known as CCHs, on a monthly basis.
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In 2018, and again in 2020, according to a senior government official, the Ministry of Education proposed a pay increase of Rs 2,000 per month, but the suggestions were rejected by the Finance Ministry, which insisted that the states should top up the payment depending on their own needs and desires. In addition, when states demand an increase in the honoraria paid to CCHs, the Education Ministry’s standard response is “it depends.”The cooks and helpers are classed as honorary workers who have volunteered their time to provide social services to the community.” “They are not considered employees, and as a result, the laws governing minimum salaries do not apply to them,” the official explained. Under PM Poshan, the funds for payments to chefs and workers are divided by the Centre in a 60:40 split with states, while the funds for payments to UTs are split in a 60:40 split with legislatures.
