Shillong, July 20: Cook-cum-Helpers working under the PM Poshan scheme in Meghalaya and across the North East on Monday urged the Centre to revise their monthly honorarium, warning that they may stop implementing the scheme if their long-pending demand is not met.
Addressing reporters, Adviser of the Cook-cum-Helper PM Poshan, Meghalaya, Khroo L. Pariat, said the honorarium provided by the Union Government has remained unchanged at Rs 900 per month for more than two decades, despite rising living costs.
The union has submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Finance, demanding that the Centre raise its share of the honorarium to Rs 9,000 per month.
“On behalf of Cook-cum-Helpers of Meghalaya and the North Eastern region, we sincerely appeal to the Prime Minister to enhance the decade-old honorarium,” Pariat said.
He said the issue was also taken up with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman during her recent visit to Shillong in the presence of Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui.
According to Pariat, the Finance Minister informed them that the matter is currently under consideration by the Ministries of Finance and Education, although legal issues have delayed the process.
“She told us the matter is under process with the Ministries of Finance and Education, but there are legal issues as someone has moved court,” he said.
With Parliament’s Monsoon Session underway, Pariat appealed to Members of Parliament from both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to press for an immediate revision of the honorarium.
Highlighting the contribution of Cook-cum-Helpers—most of whom are women—Pariat said they have played a crucial role in strengthening primary education across the region.
“They have played a major role in shaping primary education. After PM Poshan, formerly the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, was implemented regularly, more children started attending school, contributing to peace and stability in a region once affected by militancy,” he said.
Pariat also pointed to the disparity between state and central contributions under the 90:10 funding pattern applicable to the North East.
He said Meghalaya increased its state contribution from Rs 100 to Rs 1,100 per month in 2022, making it the highest state contribution in the region. Assam and Arunachal Pradesh contribute Rs 1,500, while several other northeastern states provide Rs 1,000. Nationally, Kerala pays Rs 12,000 and Delhi Rs 8,000 as honorarium.
With more than 20,000 Cook-cum-Helpers in Meghalaya according to government records, Pariat said the current central contribution is no longer adequate.
“If the Union Government does not enhance it, we will have no option but to stop implementing the scheme,” he warned.
