Avinash Azad
A simmering controversy over the plight of cooks in government schools and unfulfilled employment promises to land donors has come to the forefront in Jammu and Kashmir, following pointed questions raised by MLA Muzaffar Iqbal Khan in the legislative assembly.
The J&K government’s responses, tabled earlier this month, have exposed systemic issues, including apparent violations of the Minimum Wages Act of 1984 and the discontinuation of a once-assured employment policy, sparking concerns over fairness and accountability.
Cooks Paid Rs 1,000 Monthly: A Violation of Minimum Wage Norms?
In his query, MLA Khan sought confirmation on whether cooks working in government schools under the PM POSHAN (Mid-Day Meal) Scheme are being paid a paltry Rs 1,000 per month, an amount he argued violates the Minimum Wages Act of 1984. The government’s response was candid yet unapologetic: “Yes, the cooks-cum-helpers working under PM POSHAN are being paid a monthly honorarium of Rs 1,000 as per the guidelines and norms of the Ministry of Education, Government of India, with a funding pattern of 90:10 for preparation of meals and not for the whole day.”
The admission has ignited debate, as the Rs 1,000 honorarium falls drastically short of the minimum wage standards mandated by the 1984 Act, which ensures fair compensation for workers based on hours and nature of work. Critics argue that even if the cooks’ duties are limited to meal preparation rather than full-day employment, Rs 1,000—amounting to roughly Rs 33 per day—is indefensible in 2025’s economic climate, where inflation has eroded purchasing power.
The government further explained that it had previously raised the issue of enhancing the honorarium during a meeting of the Project Approval Board (PAB) under the PM POSHAN scheme. However, the proposal was rejected by the central authorities, who cited uniformity in pay across the country, stating, “The cooks-cum-helpers are uniformly paid throughout the country, and the same cannot be enhanced in isolation for any state or UT.” The J&K administration pledged to revisit the matter in future discussions, but no timeline or concrete assurances were provided.
“This is a glaring injustice,” said a source close to MLA Khan. “These cooks, mostly women from marginalized backgrounds, are the backbone of the mid-day meal program, yet they’re being exploited under the guise of central guidelines. The Minimum Wages Act isn’t optional—it’s a legal obligation.”
Broken Promises to Land Donors
In a separate but equally pressing query, MLA Khan asked whether land acquired for school construction came with assurances that one family member of the donor would be employed as a daily wager or casual laborer, particularly in Thanamandi constituency. The government’s response confirmed that such a policy once existed but has since lapsed, leaving many families in limbo.
“Yes, some schools have been established on land donated by landowners,” the reply stated. “There had been a provision for engagement of land donors as casual workers under SRO 520, which has ceased to exist now, and as such, there is no such policy by virtue of which employment can be provided to the land donors.” Instead, the School Education Department is now offering compensation under the UT’s CAPEX Budget to settle claims in a phased manner.
The data provided revealed that land was acquired for 574 school buildings in Rajouri district alone, including 60 cases of land donations in Thanamandi constituency. While the shift to monetary compensation may address some grievances, it fails to honor the original promise of employment—a commitment that likely persuaded many families to part with their land in the first place.
“For years, these families believed their sacrifice would secure a livelihood for their kin,” said a local activist from Thanamandi. “Now, they’re left with neither jobs nor the land they gave up. Compensation is a step, but it’s not what was promised.”
A Dual Crisis of Equity and Trust
The twin revelations have cast a shadow over the J&K government’s handling of education-related workforce issues. The cooks’ meager pay not only raises legal questions but also undermines the PM POSHAN scheme’s goal of supporting vulnerable communities—both students and workers. Meanwhile, the abandonment of the land donor employment policy risks eroding public trust in government assurances, particularly in rural constituencies like Thanamandi, where land is a precious asset.
