Andhra Pradesh mid-day meal workers stage protest

The members alleged that the State government has even failed to provide them basic salaries on time.

The members of Andhra Pradesh Mid-day Meal scheme workers union staged a protest alleging harassment from the YSR Congress Party workers, delay in payment of their bills since many months and a few other issues, in Visakhapatnam on December 22. The members alleged that the State government has even failed to provide them basic salaries on time.

Later addressing a press conference at Gandhi Statue near GVMC building in Visakhapatnam, State President of A.P. Mid-day Meal Scheme Workers Union, G. Varalakshmi said that around 200 mid-day meal workers were sacked due to various reasons in Rolugunta, Madugula, Anakapalle, Yelamanchali and a few other areas in Visakhapatnam district, while many women have resigned from the jobs unable to bear the pressure and harassment from the YSRCP workers.

Despite not allotting any special funds or not clearing bills on time and not addressing basic issues, around 6,000 mid-day meal workers have been working in the schools and providing food to the children. She also said that no additional incentives were provided by the government even though the prices of vegetables, kitchen essentials, have increased. The State government had promised to pay a salary of ₹3,000 per month. The last full salary was paid in the month of January. Then the salary was cut due to COVID-19, school closure and other reasons. Since August, no salary was credited, she added.