The State government has raised the honorarium of midday meal workers by Rs. 500, which will be effective from this month.
Following the announcement, the midday meal workers on Friday called off their five-day protest and have since reported for work. The decision to increase the honorarium would benefit 1.16 lakh noon meal workers across the State. With the additional Rs. 500, the monthly honorarium will be Rs. 1,600 for workers and head cooks will get Rs. 1,700, which includes Rs. 100 allowance given for implementing the Ksheera Bhagya scheme.
Speaking to The Hindu , Minister of State for Primary and Secondary Education Kimmane Ratnakar said the decision would come into effect immediately.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had orally approved of the decision and the matter would be placed before the Cabinet shortly for formal ratification.
The Minister said, apart from the latest hike in the honorarium, the State government would request the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development to extend financial support for an even more hike in the honorarium. As of now, the cost of honorarium is borne by the Union government (75 per cent) and the State government (25 per cent).
The Karnataka Rajya Akshara Dasoha Naukarara Sangha State president S. Varalakshmi said the workers had called off the protest following the assurance by the State government. However, she pointed out that their demand was to raise the honorarium to Rs. 3,000. “The State government has promised that it will pursue the matter with the Centre,” she said.
