Midday meal cooks from Punjab Democratic Midday Meal Kukfront protested against the Centre and the state on Sunday demanding salary of Rs 2,500 per month. Swaran Kaur Nihalgarh, district general secretary of the union said, “All states pay more than Punjab to midday meal cooks. Haryana pays Rs 2,500 per month whereas we still get Rs 1,200 per month. Is it possible to survive on this minimal amount? We demand our salaries be increased to 2,500.” The cooks gathered in front of the DC office and then took out a rally to MP Manish Tewari’s house on Pakhowal Road raising slogans against the Centre and the state. They also demanded life insurance schemes by the government and rollback of contractual system which has deteriorated quality of food for the children.
