Lucknow: Ahead of Raksha Bandhan, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced four major benefits for nearly 3.54 lakh school cooks, around 93 per cent of whom are women. Addressing a felicitation ceremony at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan in Lucknow, the Chief Minister said the measures were aimed at strengthening the financial and social security of cooks working under the PM POSHAN scheme.
The monthly honorarium of school cooks has been increased from ₹2,000 to ₹3,000, while the amount provided for clothing has been doubled from ₹500 to ₹1,000 annually. The government also announced ₹2 lakh in accident assistance through the State Bank of India and cashless healthcare coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year for cooks and their families.
Yogi said those preparing meals for schoolchildren play an important role in building a healthy generation and deserve greater financial and social security.
Government to Strengthen Social Security
The Chief Minister said school cooks had earlier received an honorarium of only ₹1,000, and payments were not always regular. He said the government had now moved towards ensuring direct and transparent payments through bank accounts.
Under the new arrangement, cooks will have their accounts with SBI, through which their honorarium will be credited. In case of an unfortunate incident, including an accident, the family will be eligible for assistance of ₹2 lakh.
Yogi also announced cashless medical treatment of up to ₹5 lakh annually at government and empanelled hospitals for cooks and their families. He said the initiative would ensure that families do not face financial hardship during medical emergencies.
Focus on Children’s Nutrition
The Chief Minister said the work of school cooks goes beyond preparing meals and filling children’s stomachs. Their role is linked directly to the health and development of children.
He urged cooks to maintain cleanliness in kitchens and ensure that nutritious food is served on time according to the prescribed weekly menu. The PM POSHAN menu includes millets, local dishes and seasonal fruits, among other nutritional components.
Yogi cautioned against negligence in food preparation and stressed that kitchens must remain hygienic and protected from contamination. He also directed that outsiders should not be allowed into school kitchens while food is being prepared.
Praise for Cooks’ Role During COVID and Maha Kumbh
Yogi also recalled the contribution of school cooks during the COVID-19 pandemic and the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh.
He said that during the pandemic, cooks helped arrange food for more than one crore people who returned to Uttar Pradesh. During the Maha Kumbh, when the massive influx of pilgrims created pressure on Prayagraj, holding areas were established in neighbouring districts including Jaunpur, Pratapgarh, Bhadohi, Mirzapur and Fatehpur, where school cooks prepared meals for devotees.
The Chief Minister said the contribution of these women and other frontline workers deserved recognition and respect.
Government Highlights Basic Education Reforms
Yogi said the state government had undertaken several measures to improve basic education infrastructure and learning outcomes. He pointed to Operation Kayakalp, under which 19 infrastructure parameters were identified for schools.
According to him, schools have been equipped with facilities including improved flooring, separate toilets for boys and girls, kitchens, drinking water, libraries, digital libraries and smart classrooms.
He said the state’s focus was not merely on infrastructure but also on improving children’s learning capabilities. “Children will progress, and when children progress, the country will progress,” he said.
The Chief Minister also said a model for the Chief Minister Composite School would be introduced by the end of this year.
Support for Vulnerable Children
The government also highlighted welfare measures for children affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and those with disabilities.
Yogi said children orphaned or otherwise affected during the pandemic were being supported under the Chief Minister Child Service Scheme, with eligible children receiving ₹4,000 per month for education.
He also cited assistance for children with severe and multiple disabilities, stipends for girls with disabilities and distribution of assistive devices. Braille textbooks have been provided to visually impaired children, while enlarged-print books have been supplied to children with low vision.
The government is also expanding Kasturba Gandhi residential schools across all 825 development blocks, with plans to extend their education up to Class 12 and establish ICT laboratories.
‘Education System Now Focused on Learning and Skills’
Yogi claimed that the state’s examination system had undergone a major transformation, with greater emphasis on timely examinations and results.
He said the government was working to replace the earlier culture of examination irregularities with a transparent and merit-based system. According to him, examinations are now being completed within a much shorter period, with results declared soon afterwards.
The Chief Minister said the new education system was aimed at making Uttar Pradesh “cheating-free and knowledge-driven”, while transforming education from merely academic learning into skills and capabilities.
Political Attack on Opposition
During his address, Yogi also targeted the Samajwadi Party, alleging that the previous government had failed to address the concerns of poor families, school cooks and other grassroots workers.
He accused the previous regime of allowing copying in examinations and said the state had since moved towards a more transparent education system. He also criticised opposition remarks about his government and defended the BJP’s record on law and order and development.
‘Government Will Work for Dignified Lives’
The Chief Minister said school cooks, Anganwadi workers, ASHA workers, village chowkidars, Home Guards and PRD personnel were all contributing to the state’s development.
He said the government would continue working to improve their honorarium, social security and quality of life.
The four announcements for school cooks—higher monthly honorarium, accident assistance, cashless health coverage and increased clothing allowance—are expected to provide greater financial protection to thousands of women associated with the PM POSHAN programme.
Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak, Basic Education Minister Sandeep Singh, MLA Neeraj Bora, Legislative Council members Avanish Kumar Singh and Ram Chandra Pradhan, among others, attended the ceremony.
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