Why did the midday meal cooks in Chhattisgarh protest?

The cooks were protesting for a significant increase in their daily wages, demanding to go from Rs 66 to Rs 340.

What was the outcome of the protest for the cooks?

Two cooks, Rukmani Sinha and Dulari Yadav, died during the protest due to deteriorating health, with one diagnosed with pneumonia and the other succumbing to cardiac arrest.

How did the government respond to the wage protest?

The government announced a marginal daily wage increase of Rs 16.6, which was significantly less than the protestors' demands.

Home / Business and Economy / Midday Meal Cooks Die in Protest for Higher Wages

Midday Meal Cooks Die in Protest for Higher Wages

29 Jan

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Summary

Two cooks died during an ongoing protest for wage hike.
Protestors demanded daily wages increase from Rs 66 to Rs 340.
Government announced a marginal daily increase of Rs 16.6.

Midday Meal Cooks Die in Protest for Higher Wages

Two women working as midday meal cooks in Chhattisgarh have died amid a protest for increased wages. The cooks were part of an ongoing demonstration demanding a significant hike in their daily pay.

Rukmani Sinha and Dulari Yadav, aged in their 50s and 60s respectively, passed away on January 26 and January 27, 2026. Their deaths occurred on the 31st day of the protest, which began with cooks earning Rs 66 daily and escalated with demands for Rs 340.

Family members reported that both women experienced rapid health declines shortly after participating in the protest. Doctors cited pneumonia and cardiac arrest due to multiple health issues as causes of death, with delayed medical attention noted in one case.