SHILLONG, JUL 20: Adviser of the Cook-cum-Helper PM Poshan, Meghalaya, Khroo L Pariat on Monday appealed to the Prime Minister and Union Government to immediately enhance the decade-old honorarium paid under the PM Poshan scheme, warning that members may stop implementing the scheme in the region if the demand is not met.
Addressing the media in Shillong, Pariat said the honorarium of Rs 900 per month for 10 months in a year has not been revised for more than 20 years.
“On behalf of the Cook-cum-Helper PM Poshan of Meghalaya and the North Eastern region, we have come forward today to sincerely appeal to the Prime Minister of India to enhance the decade-old honorarium,” Pariat said.
Pariat said a delegation had met the Union Minister-in-charge of Finance during her last visit to Shillong.
“She informed us that the matter is under process with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Education, but that there are legal issues. When we inquired, she mentioned that someone had gone to court,” he said.
He added that leaders including Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and Education Minister Lahkmen Rymbui were present during the meeting, and the Minister had assured a patient hearing.
Pariat stressed the contribution of Cook-cum-Helpers, most of whom are women from the North East.
“The Cook-cum-Helpers have played a major role in shaping education in the region, especially in primary schools,” he said.
Citing the region’s history, he added, “Prior to 2000, the North Eastern region witnessed militancy and law and order problems. But once PM Poshan, earlier known as Mid-Day Meal, was implemented regularly, especially in Meghalaya and across the North East, we observed that most of the youth who came to primary schools helped bring about peace.”
“So the contribution of Cook-cum-Helpers through PM Poshan has helped to contain militancy and has contributed to the overall development of society,” Pariat said.
The union has demanded that the Union Government’s share be increased from Rs 900 to Rs 9,000 per month, with special consideration for the North Eastern region where the funding pattern is 90:10.
Pariat noted that Meghalaya has already enhanced its state share.
“The Government of Meghalaya under Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma enhanced the honorarium in 2022 from Rs 100 to Rs 1,100 per month from the state share. Meghalaya now ranks first in the North East and 5th in the country. Kerala pays Rs 12,000 and Delhi Rs 8,000 per month,” he said.
He said memoranda have been submitted to the Prime Minister and the Ministries of Education and Finance.
“If the Union Government does not enhance this decade-old honorarium, we from the Union, which has more than 20,000 members as per Government of Meghalaya records, have issued an ultimatum: we will stop implementing the scheme in the region,” Pariat warned.
“We cannot survive on this voluntary honorarium of Rs 900 from the Union Government.”
He appealed to all Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha MPs from the North East and across India to take up the issue during the ongoing Monsoon Session.
