SHILLONG: The indefinite strike by thousands of school kitchen workers in Meghalaya under the PM POSHAN scheme is rapidly intensifying, with the Cook-cum-Helper Union extending its boycott through September 30 and issuing an ultimatum to the Union Government for policy clarity on the scheme’s future.
Union adviser Khroo L. Pariat confirmed that the strike, which began on September 2, will escalate with peaceful sit-in demonstrations at all district headquarters on September 22.
The union is demanding an immediate official notification from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government clarifying whether the PM POSHAN scheme will continue.
If maintained, the union insists that the honorarium for workers—mostly local women—must be urgently raised to a sustainable level.
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Pariat stressed the vital role the scheme plays for schoolchildren in tribal-majority communities across the Northeast.
If the central government discontinues or neglects the initiative, Meghalaya’s union will join forces with counterparts in neighboring states to form a unified regional front.
A multi-state strategy summit is planned for Shillong in the second week of October to determine the next steps.
(4FrontMedia news)
