Lucknow: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday announced four major benefits for mid-day meal cooks, including a hike in honorarium from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000, Rs 2 lakh assistance in case of accidental death, Rs 5 lakh annual cashless healthcare for cooks and families, and an increase in saree allowance from Rs 500 to Rs 1,000.Highlighting the importance of PM Poshan (formerly mid-day meal) cooks, Yogi said their role was far beyond providing meals to children.“While the cooks work to ensure that children receive nutritious food and grow healthy, little attention was paid to the well-being of cooks under the past govts. The kitchen is not just about filling a child’s stomach; it is a mission to build a healthy and capable generation. PM freed women from smoke-filled kitchens, we ensured social security concerns,” he said.Hitting out at previous govts for robbing the rights of the poor, Yogi said, “Nine years ago, the cooks were paid Rs 1,000 which too, most of the time, didn’t reach them. It was then Jan Dhan accounts of 55 crore people were opened so that the money can be transferred directly.”Urging people to have faith in BJP’s double-engine govt, Yogi said, “The education department approached SBI and came up with an accidental cover for the cooks so that they don’t feel helpless in times of crisis – accidents, disability or death.”Stressing that school kitchen should be clean and hygienic, Yogi asked cooks to ensure the food served to children is free from food poisoning and that no lizard or insect should be found in the cooked food. The CM appreciated the invaluable contribution of the cooks during the Covid-19 pandemic and Maha Kumbh.
