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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Pay of midday meal workers doubled to Rs 2,000 a month -Akshaya Mukul

Pay of midday meal workers doubled to Rs 2,000 a month -Akshaya Mukul

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published Published on Feb 1, 2014   modified Modified on Feb 1, 2014
-The Times of India


NEW DELHI: Acceding to a long standing demand of 28 lakh cook-cum-helpers of midday meal scheme just ahead of general elections, the finance ministry has cleared the HRD ministry's proposal to double their monthly honorarium from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000.

The decision will cost the government Rs 2,000 crore annually and benefit 28.29 lakh cook-cum-helpers across the country. More than 82% of cook-cum-helpers are women, 25% belong to Scheduled Caste, 15% are Scheduled Tribe and 35% OBCs.

Numerous studies on MDM have pointed to the pitiable remuneration being paid to cook-cum-helpers and suggested enhancement. In many states, they are not even paid regularly for six to eight months if not more. Since the MDM tragedy in Bihar last year, HRD ministry has been pushing for higher remuneration for cook-cum-helpers as well as proper training for them.

Finance ministry also agreed to increase the cooking cost by 5%. HRD ministry had proposed creation of MDM price index based on MDM basket. It was decided that a committee of HRD minister and finance minister would look into it.

Monitoring management and evaluation cost of MDM has been doubled and is likely to cause an extra burden of Rs 1,100 crore annually. Cost of kitchen devices, which was Rs 5,000 per unit, has been increased to Rs 15,000 per unit.

However, HRD ministry's proposal of introducing solar cooking and other alternative methods in one lakh schools did not enthuse finance ministry much. It agreed that it can be started on a pilot basis in 5,000 schools at the cost of Rs 15,000 per school. HRD wanted Rs 30,000 for solar cooker.

Revisions accepted in MDM will lead to extra burden of Rs 14,000 crore over the next three years. However, for 2014-15 allocation for MDM has remained unchanged from last year's Rs 13215 crore. "Finance ministry's clearance will need cabinet approval. For the entire plan period Rs 90,000 crore was allocated. Enhancements of cost will not cause any financial imbalance," a source said.


The Times of India, 1 February, 2014, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Pay-of-midday-meal-workers-doubled-to-Rs-2000-a-month/articleshow/29680986.cms


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