Salary hike for cooks-cum-helpers of Mid-Day Meal scheme announced by Odisha Govt

Cooks-cum-helpers (Pachikas) working under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman yojana (Mid-Day Meal) will receive a higher salary, with monthly remuneration set to rise to Rs 3,000. The hike was informed by the Odisha Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on Tuesday.

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According to the CMO, this pay raise is expected to benefit approximately 1.12 lakh cooks throughout the State. The Government will bear an additional annual expense of over Rs 112 Crore to implement this increment of monthly salary.

In a move that acknowledges the hard work of those behind the scenes, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi announced a significant wage increase for cooks involved in the PM Poshan Yojana (mid-day meal scheme). These dedicated workers will see their monthly income rise from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000.

“This decision is set to benefit 1,12,090 cooks and helpers who are employed under the PM Poshan Yojana across Odisha. The increased salaries will require the State government to bear an additional annual expenditure of Rs 1,12.09 Crore,” the CMO stated.

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Worth mentioning, that these cooks play a vital role in preparing and serving meals to 42.45 lakh students. They work across a vast network of 50,618 primary and upper primary schools, serving pupils from Class 1 to Class 8, ensuring that children receive nutritious mid-day meals during their school days.