Workers of noon meal scheme rue meagre wages, pension

CHENNAI: The noon meal scheme for children in schools is hailed as one of the best welfare programmes launched by the TN government.

With 1.28 lakh employees, it’s operational at 43,283 centres since July 1982.

However, despite labouring for decades, workers have been earning only minimum wage and a meagre pension amount.

R Kesavan, Chennai district secretary, Noon Meal and Retired Anganwadi Workers’ Welfare Association, said, “Though we were hired with a meagre salary in the beginning, we were made part-time permanent only in 1996. We were promoted every 10 years without any salary revision. Additionally, we do not have any benefits that a government employee is entitled to like Dearness Allowance (DA) or funeral assistance for old age pensioners.”

Kesavan, with 34 years of experience, who recently retired earning Rs 20,000/month says it’s difficult to survive with Rs 2,000 as pension. “My wife is not entitled to 50% of the pension after my death, which other government employees are eligible for,” he laments.

Meanwhile, A Elumalai, Chennai district president of TN noon meal workers’ association, who earns Rs 21,183/month, recalls CM Stalin’s promise during the election campaign. “During election, the DMK promised to increase pension to Rs 7,850 for State government employees. But nothing has happened so far.”

After 34 years in service, Elumalai’s salary is lesser than his son’s, who works at a private firm. “This is humiliating. Our only demand with the government is to increase the pay and revise pension,” he avers.

Members of various noon meal workers’ associations across TN have planned for a protest on October 14 demanding a hike along with benefits eligible for State government staff.

As on 2021, there are 42,433 noon meal organisers, 42,852 cooks, 42,855 helpers working under the social welfare department across 43,283 centres feeding 49.85 lakh students.

Officials did not respond when contacted.