Mid-day meal workers demand release of due honorarium
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 28 2019: Mid Day Meal Workers' Union, Manipur on Thursday demanded the Government to released the due honorariums of the workers at the earliest.

Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club, Imphal, president of the union Yumnam Ongbi Indrani said there are around 6951 mid day meal workers in the State and they cook and serve meal to the school children 20 days a month.

However, they are paid an honorarium of Rs 1,000 only, she said.

The Government and authorities concerned have not released the due honorarium of the workers since the past one and half year, she claimed.

"With other organisations, we have also been demanding the Centre and the State Government to raise the honorarium for the workers," she said.

"In, February, they (Government) gave assurance to us that the due honorarium of 9 months will be released.

But so far none has been released," she said.

For mid day meal workers in Imphal West, honorarium for some months have been released.

The honorarium for the workers of the remaining districts are still pending since 2018, she claimed.

When approached, the Director and the nodal officer concerned gave no concrete reason for the delay in the remaining districts, she added.

"Those who are engaged in Ushop mela (feast) are getting Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 per day/feast.

But the mid day meal workers who are engaged 20 days a month are still not getting the honorarium of Rs 1,000 promised," she said.

Other States have increased the honorarium of the workers, she said urging the Government to release and increase the honorarium for the welfare of the workers who are serving the children in schools.

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