UP announces health and financial benefits for cooks
Source:freepressjournal ↗
Why It Matters
This development is highly relevant for UPPSC PCS Prelims as it involves state-specific welfare measures directed at unorganized sector workers (Rasoiyas). It links directly to major flagship schemes such as the PM POSHAN Mission and state schemes like Operation Kayakalp and Mukhyamantri Bal Seva Yojana, which are frequently tested in state administrative exams.
Summary
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced significant financial and social security benefits for over 3.54 lakh mid-day meal workers (Rasoiyas) in the state ahead of Raksha Bandhan. The benefits include a 50% hike in basic honorarium (from ₹2,000 to ₹3,000), doubling of the uniform allowance to ₹1,000, a ₹2 lakh accidental insurance cover provided through the State Bank of India, and ₹5 lakh in annual cashless health insurance. These measures aim to provide a social safety net to unorganized sector workers who are instrumental in implementing the PM POSHAN (mid-day meal) scheme. The CM also emphasized the transformation of state-run schools through 'Operation Kayakalp' and initiatives like the 'Mukhyamantri Bal Seva Yojana' for children orphaned by COVID-19.
Key Points
- Ahead of Raksha Bandhan, UP CM Yogi Adityanath announced four major benefits for 3.54 lakh 'Rasoiyas' (mid-day meal cooks) in the state.
- Their monthly honorarium has been increased from ₹2,000 to ₹3,000.
- Rasoiyas will now receive free cashless health insurance cover up to ₹5 lakh annually and an accidental insurance cover of ₹2 lakh via SBI.
- The annual uniform allowance for these workers has been doubled from ₹500 to ₹1,000, which will be directly transferred to their bank accounts.
- The CM highlighted ongoing state initiatives like Operation Kayakalp (school infrastructure), PM POSHAN (nutrition), and Mukhyamantri Bal Seva Yojana (for COVID-19 orphans).
Important Terms
Operation Kayakalp
A flagship Uttar Pradesh government initiative launched in 2018 to upgrade infrastructure in government schools. It focuses on 19 parameters, including safe drinking water, clean toilets, smart classes, and child-friendly campuses.
UPSC context
UPPSC GS Paper 5 (UP Specific) & GS 2. Highly relevant for questions on state education reforms and infrastructure development.
Mukhyamantri Bal Seva Yojana
A UP government welfare scheme offering ₹4,000 monthly financial assistance, free residential education, and device support to children orphaned by COVID-19 or other tragedies.
UPSC context
UPPSC GS Paper 5 & GS 2. Critical for answering questions on state-specific social security nets and vulnerable child protection.
Atal Awasiya Schools
Free residential schools established across all 18 divisions of Uttar Pradesh to provide holistic, quality education for the children of registered unorganized sector laborers and orphans.
UPSC context
UPPSC GS Paper 5. Tests knowledge on UP's targeted educational interventions for marginalized communities and labor welfare.
PM POSHAN Mission
A centrally sponsored program (formerly Mid-Day Meal Scheme) providing hot-cooked, nutritious meals to children in government schools from pre-primary to Class 8 to enhance enrollment, retention, and nutrition.
UPSC context
UPPSC GS 2 & GS 3. Essential for evaluating national food security efforts, child nutrition, and educational welfare schemes.
NIPUN Bharat Mission
A national initiative launched under NEP 2020 aiming to ensure that every child in India achieves foundational literacy and numeracy skills by the end of Grade 3.
UPSC context
UPPSC GS Paper 2 (Education). Vital for topics involving the National Education Policy and capacity building in primary education.
Prelims Trap
"Rasoiyas under the PM POSHAN scheme are granted formal state government employee status with a fixed salary."
Rasoiyas are unorganized sector workers who receive a monthly "honorarium" (recently increased to ₹3,000). They do not hold formal state government employee status.
Static Concepts Connected
What are the core features and funding pattern of the PM POSHAN Scheme?
- Nodal Ministry: It is implemented by the Ministry of Education, not the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
- Funding Pattern: It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a 60:40 cost-sharing ratio between the Centre and the UP state government.
- Expanded Coverage: Replaced the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and extended hot cooked meals to pre-primary (Balvatika) students along with classes I-VIII.
What are the objectives of 'Operation Kayakalp' in Uttar Pradesh?
- Launch & Objective: Launched in 2018 by the UP government to rejuvenate the deteriorating infrastructure of state-run primary and upper primary schools.
- Infrastructure Upgrades: Upgrades schools systematically across 19 parameters, including separate toilets, safe drinking water, boundary walls, electrification, and smart classrooms.
Cross-Topic Patterns
Social security for scheme implementers
Providing insurance to Rasoiyas bridges unorganized sector welfare with effective service delivery, ensuring those running flagship schemes (PM POSHAN) aren't left economically vulnerable.
Operation Kayakalp & human capital formation
Upgrading school infrastructure (Kayakalp) alongside securing child nutrition (PM POSHAN) represents UP's dual strategy to improve educational outcomes and harness its demographic dividend (SDG 4).
Expect a UP-specific 'match-the-following' question pairing Operation Kayakalp (infrastructure) and Mukhyamantri Bal Seva (COVID orphans).
Linked PYQs · 4
Linked PYQs · 4
- 2023UPPSC_PRELIMSGS1
In which year, Mid-day Meal Scheme was renamed as P.M. Poshan Scheme ?
- 2010UPPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Mid-day Meal Scheme is financed and managed by
- 2017UPPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana launched under Social Security Act 2008 covers:
- 2021UPPSC_PRELIMSGS1
Which of the following Schemes in Uttar Pradesh were introduced in Budget of 2021-22? I. Atmanirbhar Krishak Samanvit Vikas Yojna II. Mukhya Mantri Saksham Suposhan Yojna III. Mukhya Mantri Pravasi Shramik Udyamita Vikas Yojna IV. Yuva Udyamita Vikas Abhiyan Select the correct answer from the codes given below.
