Bhubaneswar: The state government has urged the Union Ministry of Union Human Resource Development (MHRD) to release its share as per enhanced honorarium being paid to cook-cum-helpers engaged under mid-day meal (MDM) programme.
“The cooks are resorting to agitation hampering the MDM programme in the schools. Students are facing problems and teachers have to cook. Consulting the Chief Minister, we agreed to meet their demands and thus agreed to enhance the honorarium to Rs 2,000 from Rs 1,000 with effect from January 1, 2018.” School and Mass Education Minister Badri Narayan Patra told reporters here Monday.
As per the guidelines of the MDM scheme, the state share is 40 per cent while the Centre has to contribute 60 per cent.
“Though the state government is releasing its share as per revised honorarium, the Centre is yet to sanction it. As a result, the cooks are now getting Rs 1,400 instead of Rs 2,000 per month,” Patra said.
He further stated that his department secretary has written letter twice to the concern officer in the MHRD. But, no response has been given by the Centre till date.
“Therefore, I have written to HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar seeking enhancement in the honorarium of cook-cum-helpers,” he added.