UP government raises PM Poshan cooks' salary, launches cashless medical cards

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced a significant welfare package for cooks working under the PM Poshan Yojana in Shravasti district, including cashless medical cards and a substantial salary increase. The benefits were distributed during a special honour ceremony held at the Ikauna tehsil auditorium, bringing visible relief and joy to the cooking staff who serve midday meals in government schools.

Local MLA Ram Pheran Pandey and District Magistrate Annapurna Garg presided over the event as chief guests, personally handing out cashless medical cards to the cooks. The cards provide medical treatment coverage of up to Rs 5 lakh without requiring upfront cash payment, addressing a long-standing concern about healthcare access for these low-income workers. The initiative is expected to ease the financial burden on cooks and their families in times of medical emergency.

In addition to the healthcare benefit, the government has raised the monthly honorarium for PM Poshan Yojana cooks by Rs 1,000. Following this increase, cooks will now receive Rs 3,000 per month, up from the previous Rs 2,000. The twin announcements were met with enthusiasm by the cooking staff present at the ceremony, whose faces reflected their appreciation for the enhanced support.

District Magistrate Annapurna Garg used the occasion to appeal to the cooks to maintain their commitment to providing nutritious and tasty meals to schoolchildren. The PM Poshan Yojana, formerly known as the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, serves millions of students across India and relies heavily on the dedication of cooking staff at the grassroots level. The new measures are seen as recognition of their vital role in child nutrition and education.