Bangalore: The Government's midday meal scheme, which will be extended to high schools from this academic year, has ensured at least one square meal for children studying in government schools in Karnataka. But for the cooking staff involved in this massive exercise, making both ends meet is a no easy task.

The monthly salary for chief cook, cook, assistant cook and helpers of the Akshara Dasoha scheme are Rs. 650, Rs. 450, Rs. 400 and Rs. 300 a month respectively, which is below the minimum wages fixed by the Government. They have no job security, maternity leave, insurance and other benefits because they are temporary staff.

The cooking staff, under the banner of the Karnataka State Akshara Dasoha Workers' Federation, have appealed to Primary and Secondary Education Minister Basavaraj Horatti to treat them as permanent, part-time employees on the Tamil Nadu model and enhance their salaries by Rs. 500 for all the four categories. They have also demanded that the workers be given medical and other facilities. Mr. Horatti has promised that he would recommend giving minimum wages to the employees.

Privatisation

In a memorandum, the workers expressed apprehensions over privatisation of the midday meal scheme. Organisations such as ISKCON's Akshaya Patra Foundation, which get between Rs. 3.20 to Rs. 3.60 a child from the Government for the scheme, were "hiding this fact" and collecting huge donations in India and abroad, alleges N. Shivanna, general secretary of the federation affiliated to All India Trade Union Congress.

"We have demanded that an inquiry be conducted," he said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail