Jaipur: Payments to cook-cum-helpers under the mid-day meal scheme have remained pending across Rajasthan for seven months, while dues under the Bal Gopal Dudh Yojana have not been cleared for 15 months, the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj and Secondary Teachers’ Association alleged.It said the delays were affecting the implementation of both schemes in govt schools and causing financial hardship to thousands of workers.In Udaipur district, around 5,200 cook-cum-helpers are awaiting their monthly honorarium of Rs 2,467, pending since April 2026. Under the Bal Gopal Dudh Yojana, payments towards milk heating, sugar and LPG expenses have remained pending since Aug 2025.Additional chief secretary Rajesh Yadav said the matter had been brought to his notice. “We have directed mid-day meal officials to look into the matter. They will investigate the reasons for the delay and ensure that pending payments are released,” he said.The association attributed the delay to a change in the payment portal. State president Sher Singh Chauhan said payments were earlier processed through the PD or SNA portal, which has now been replaced by the SNA Sparsh portal.The association submitted a memorandum to Udaipur District Education Officer (Elementary) Durgesh Kumar Menaria Monday, demanding that all dues be cleared within three days ahead of Diwali. It warned of a protest outside the DEO’s office if the payments were not released.
