STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Midday Meal Workers Association staged a protest outside the residence of Education Minister Siddhartha Bhattacharya's residence on Tuesday over the ongoing midday meal ignominy since the past few days. Demanding the State Government to revoke its decision to hand over the midday meal scheme to 15 NGOs in 17 districts, who allegedly provided inedible food to the government school children, the association warned of an indefinite protest.
It is to be mentioned that a meeting was recently held between the Education Minister and the midday meal cooks who were assured that they have nothing to worry about as they would receive remuneration same as before and will be engaged in the department, although their workload is reduced as they do not have to cook anymore. He also affirmed that no NGO has the authority to dismiss any cooks and they will remain under the Government’s service.
However, the Association is of the view that since the condition has not improved and the lives of children are at stake, the responsibility should be handed back to them.