The BMS delegation met the Honourablee Union Education Minister, Sri Dharmendra Pradhan, and submitted a memorandum on the problems faced by Mid-Day Meal workers throughout the country. The delegation has been briefed on the sufferings of these workers, who face low wages, multiple responsibilities, inadequate health facilities, and harassment by Supervisory staff and the District Administration.
The delegation, led by Sri B. Surendran, All-India Organising Secretary, BMS, and Sri Ashok Shukla, All-India Secretary, BMS. The delegation brought to the Minister’s notice the low honorarium paid to MDM workers. The BMS has demanded Rs 10000/ as a monthly honorarium. It informed the Minister that in many places, the MDM Workers are forced to perform tasks such as school sweeping, Watchmen, office boy, and Cooking. In many States, district officials will not provide sufficient rations to Students. In a few states, such as Madhya Pradesh, Self-Help Groups have been assigned this work. For them, reimbursement of expenditure will not be made; the poor women have to wait for months together.
The Akhil Bharatiya Mid-Day Meal Karmachari Mahasangh, an Industrial Unit of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sang,h had organised a demonstration on 1st July at around 400 Places, highlighting the problems faced by them. They have sent a memorandum to the Hon. Prime Minister and the Hon. Education Minister.
The Honourable Minister, Sri Dharmedra Pradhan, has responded positively to the issues and promised to write a letter to the finance minister regarding the enhancement of monthly wages. He also promised to arrange an official meeting with the concerned officials soon.
The Hon. Minister has responded on his Twitterr and Facebook accounts about Mid-Day Meal workers’ issues
BMS sincerely expresses its heartfelt thanks to the Minister for patiently hearing and responding positively.
