Telangana: Mid-day meal workers to begin two-day hunger strike over unpaid dues from August 6

Mid-day meal workers across Telangana will begin a two-day hunger strike from August 6, demanding payment of long-pending bills, salary arrears up to July 2025, and a monthly salary increase to Rs. 10,000.

Hyderabad: Thousands of workers who prepare and serve mid-day meals to school children across the State are going on a two-day hunger strike over their long-pending demands, including payment of long-overdue bills, commencing Wednesday.

The Telangana Mid-Day Meal Workers Union announced the hunger strike at district headquarters on August 6 and 7 with a warning of an indefinite strike starting September 1 if the government fails to address their demands.

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Given the strike call, which is expected to see participation from all 54,200 workers, the mid-day meal scheme in government and local body schools might take a hit.

The Union has urged the state government to either increase the per meal allocation to Rs.25 per student or supply essential provisions like cooking gas, eggs and groceries directly to schools.

The workers demanded the government immediately clear all pending bills and salaries up to July 2025. In addition, they want the payment of long-overdue breakfast bills. They also demanded an enhancement of minimum monthly salary to Rs.10,000

“During the assembly elections, the Congress party announced in the manifesto that salaries of the mid-day meal workers will be enhanced to Rs.10,000 per month. We want the government to honour its promise,” said J Ravinder, general secretary Telangana Mid-Day Meals Workers Union.

Meanwhile, the School Education department directed all district education officers to persuade the workers to call off their strike. If not withdrawn, the officers have been asked to make necessary alternative arrangements to ensure mid-day meals are provided to students without any disruption.