Bandipora, April 07 : Midday meal cooks working under the School Education Department (SED) on Tuesday staged a protest outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Bandipora, alleging that the government has failed to address their long-pending demands, including implementation of minimum wages and a clear regularisation policy.
The protesting cooks, hailing from Bandipora and Quil zones, raised slogans and voiced strong resentment over what they described as a “meagre and unjust” honorarium. They said that despite rendering services for decades and playing a vital role in government schools, they continue to receive a monthly payment of only Rs 900.
Association President Haneefa, while addressing the gathering, said the cooks have been working tirelessly under challenging conditions but their services remain largely unrecognised.
“We are being paid a paltry amount which is not even sufficient to meet basic needs. We demand immediate enhancement of our salary and a proper regularisation policy,” she said.
The protesters stated that repeated representations to the concerned authorities have not yielded any tangible outcome, compelling them to stage the protest. They warned that if their demands are not met at the earliest, they would intensify their agitation in the coming days.
The demonstration concluded peacefully, with the agitating cooks urging the district administration to intervene and ensure justice for the affected workers. (KNS)
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