Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Jul 22: The midday meal workers of Karnataka will now be benefited with retirement benefits up to Rs 40,000 based on their year of service during retirement.

The scheme was started in the state in 2001-02. From the year 2022, more than 11,500 employees have been laid off in the state in the name of retirement of kitchen employees who have been performing their duty in government and aided schools to improve the education of children and prevent absenteeism of children since the year of the scheme's inception. The Karnataka State Akshara Dasoha Employees Union (CITU) has been continuously fighting against the dishonourable discharge of these employees who have served for the past 23 years.

From the last 3-4 years, they requested the government and the education department several times to provide retirement benefits facility on the basis of age and to give a lump sum of one lakh rupees to the retired cooks. From July 15, an indefinite struggle was started at Freedom Park, Bangalore under the leadership of the Karnataka State Akshara Dasoha Employees Union (CITU) for the implementation of retirement benefits, salary hike, and other demands. The state government gave in to struggle on July 16.

The chief secretary of the finance department talked to the leaders of the organization, as a result of which the government kitchen staff will be released from duty after serving for 15 years and above and completing 60 years will be availing Rs 40,000 retirement benefits. Alongside Rs 30,000 to kitchen employees who are released from duty after serving 5 years and above and less than 15 years after completing 60 years. Salary hike and other demands were discussed and assurance has been given that action will be taken to fulfill them in the next few days.

CITU has welcomed the decision of the government.