Assam: Mid- Day Meal Workers Protest Against Govt. for Granting Food Scheme to NGOs

Guwahati, November 1, 2019:

Midday meal workers have staged protest against the government’s move to grant the food scheme contract to as many as 15 NGOs, coming into effect from November 1.

The protesters took to the streets of Nagaon district in Assam and shouted slogans against the government. They also expressed grief over the move, in the fear of losing their jobs.

It may be mentioned here that protests have been on across Assam following the state government’s decision. On Thursday, enraged workers in Tinsukia came out with utensils in their hands.

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In Nagaon district, protesters took out a rally in Laokhowa area. Police personnel arrived on the spot to disperse the crowd as it blocked the road, affecting movement of passengers and vehicles.

A woman police officer was hurt in the process. While she was trying to control the enraged protesters, a vehicle ran through her foot. She was immediately rushed to the nearby Hospital.

It may be mentioned here that the state government had signed MoU with 15 NGOs in Assam which will supply midday meals from a centralized kitchen.

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Meanwhile, State Education Minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya briefed the media that the move has been implemented throughout the country. He said that the mid-day meal workers will not lose their jobs. Earlier they used to prepare the food, serve it and clean- up the place. But now these workers will just have to serve the food to the school children and look after the kid.

He further added that the organization ‘CITU’ have been misleading these workers and have some vested interest behind such actions.

It may be mentioned here that the mid- day meal workers’ issues are the long pending ones in the state. These workers are paid on Rs. 1000 per month.

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