Shillong, September 15, 2026: The Union of Cook-cum-Helpers PM POSHAN, Meghalaya, has decided to continue its indefinite strike and organise peaceful sit-in demonstrations at all district headquarters across the State, demanding clarity on the future of the centrally sponsored school meal programme.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the Union’s Central Executive Committee at the Wahingdoh Dorbar Shnong Hall in Shillong on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Union adviser L. Pariat said the strike, which began on September 1, has continued peacefully with the support and cooperation of head teachers, parents and other stakeholders.
During the agitation, cook-cum-helpers have stopped attending kitchen duties in schools. The Union resolved to continue the strike until the end of September unless the authorities respond positively to its demands.
The Union will also organise peaceful sit-in demonstrations at every district headquarters on September 22 to draw the attention of the Central and State governments to their demands.
Pariat urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Education Ministry to issue a clear notification on whether the PM POSHAN scheme would continue. If the programme is retained, he said, the government should substantially increase the honorarium paid to cook-cum-helpers.
He said PM POSHAN has played an important role in supporting schoolchildren, particularly in the North-Eastern region, and expressed hope that the Centre would consider the region’s needs and recognise the contribution of women cook-cum-helpers in implementing the programme.
The Union also appealed to people across Meghalaya and the country to support its demands.
Pariat said organisations representing PM POSHAN cook-cum-helpers from across the North-East may hold a joint meeting in Shillong in October if the Centre fails to provide a satisfactory response. The meeting would discuss the next course of action, including possible intensification of the agitation.
The CEC also reviewed the outcome of its meeting with Rajya Sabha MP J.P.K. Sangma and discussed plans to convene a general meeting of PM POSHAN cook-cum-helpers from across Meghalaya.
Reports on contributions submitted by the Union’s district units were also reviewed during the meeting.
