Uttar Pradesh government increases mid-day meal cooks' honorarium

The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has announced a ₹1,000 increase in the monthly honorarium for mid-day meal cooks in state government schools. This decision raises the monthly payment from ₹2,000 to ₹3,000.

The increase is effective from September 2024. As a result, cooks can expect a total of ₹4,000 in their bank accounts this October, which includes the new ₹3,000 monthly honorarium plus a ₹1,000 arrears payment for September.

This policy change will benefit more than 3.53 lakh cooks across the state. It is noted that cooks receive honorariums for 10 months of the year rather than 12, based on the academic session. Mid-day meal director Prem Ranjan Singh has issued instructions to Basic Education Officers and finance officers across all districts to ensure timely implementation.