Bengal hikes pay for 2 lakh midday meal cook-cum-helpers
Times of India | 15 July 2026
Kolkata: Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday announced a Rs 1,000 hike in the monthly honorarium of around 2.24 lakh PM-POSHAN cook-cum-helpers, raising it from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000. The decision entails an additional allocation of around Rs 224 crore.
Posting on X, Adhikari said: “Recognising the invaluable contribution of our nearly 2.24 lakh cook-cum-helpers, we have also approved an increase in their monthly honorarium from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000. The Bengal government has approved major measures to strengthen PM-POSHAN by enhancing nutritional support for students, providing greater support to cook-cum-helpers and increasing LPG coverage to all schools.”
He also announced that the per-head cooking cost for around 51.61 lakh pre-primary and primary students would be increased from Rs 6.78 to Rs 10 a day. The state will additionally bear the Rs 3,000 LPG installation cost for every PM-POSHAN school to ensure 100% LPG coverage. Around Rs 414.63 crore has been earmarked for safer kitchens and improved nutrition.
“These approvals, totaling Rs 639 crore, reflect our unwavering commitment to strengthening school education, supporting those who serve our children every day, and ensuring that every child in West Bengal receives nutritious meals in a safe and healthy environment. Investing in our children today is investing in Bengal’s future,” Adhikari said.
On Monday, the CM had announced that ISKCON would begin supplying cooked mid-day meals to schools across Kolkata and adjoining areas from Aug 1. Sources said the organisation would initially use its existing kitchen while discussions are underway with the govt to set up a central kitchen on land to be provided by the state.
The announcement has, however, sparked concern among self-help groups that have been preparing mid-day meals for over a decade. “We only found out about this from the media. All the employees associated with us are living in uncertainty and are questioning us, but we are clueless since we have not received any official instructions from the school education department,” said Indranil Mukherjee, a spokesperson for a self-help group.