The district midday meal cooks’ association organised a one-day peaceful protest at the Collectorate on Friday and gave a memorandum to Deputy Commissioner K Ravi Kumar. The association members started a rally from Koderma Bazar to DC office and there the protest was held. The rally was led by Basmatiya Devi and Kunti Devi.
Basmatiya Devi said, “The Government uses replicate policy with the women of the State. The State Government organises women’s empowerment day on one side and the cooks in the schools work on a very low honorarium of about
Rs26 per day which is less than Government’s minimum daily wage.” This is also a violation of labour act in the district and State also, she added.
Mahadeo Ram, District Secretary of Communist Party of India (CPI) said addressing the protest,” State Government is not doing well with the cooks.” He proposed a monthly wage of five thousand and medical allowances for them through memorandum.
Sonia Devi, convenor of Jharkhand Mahila Samaj (Jharkhand women Society) said,” Wages for MNREGA is atleast six times more than a cook’s wage. Government must consider this to enhance the poor condition of cooks.”