25 Lakh, Mostly Women, Earn ₹810/Month Under PM's Scheme: Owaisi Writes To Centre

AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi has raised concerns over the meager wages of cooks and helpers under the PM POSHAN (formerly Mid-Day Meal) scheme, urging the central government to increase their remuneration. In a letter addressed to Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Owaisi highlighted that over 25 lakh cooks and helpers, primarily women, are paid just ₹810 per month after deductions for the PM Pension Scheme. He noted that their wages have remained stagnant since 2009.

Owaisi described the situation, saying, “Imagine that you cook food to feed India’s poorest children. Imagine that you are paid ₹810 per month every month and that your wages have not increased since 2009.” He emphasised the injustice of this situation, particularly given the central role these workers play in the success of the scheme. “What’s the use of having the Prime Minister’s name on the scheme if the people responsible for its success aren’t even compensated by the government properly?” he questioned.

In his letter, Owaisi called for an immediate increase in the central honorarium for these workers to at least ₹3,500 per month. He also urged the government to consider eliminating the monthly ₹190 deduction for the PM Pension Scheme and to provide additional benefits, such as paid leave, health insurance, and retirement benefits. “These steps would be immensely beneficial to over 25 lakh cooks-cum-helpers, mostly women, who are working under the scheme,” he wrote, adding that fair compensation would ensure a livable wage for these essential workers in the education system.

Imagine that you cook food to feed India’s poorest children. Imagine that you are paid ₹810 per month every month and that your wages have not increased since 2009. This is the case with India’s cooks & helpers under PM-POSHAN/mid-day meal scheme.

What’s the use of having… pic.twitter.com/7MjpW00lIq

— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) August 18, 2024