Rajahmundry, Aug 10th: Several workers associated with the midday meal scheme staged dharna at the collectorate demanding the government to take measures to strengthen the scheme for the benefit of school children. Addressing the workers here on Monday, the Midday Meal Workers Union district secretary, Ms A. Rani, said that nearly 3,000 workers were managing to ensure continuation of the program despite facing several hardships.

She found fault with government for its plans to hand over the program to voluntary agencies. She demanded that government to withdraw its plans and asked it to strengthen basic infrastructure to continue the program. She demanded provision of wages to workers. The workers also demanded that the government allocate additional budget for supply of eggs to children in addition to clearing several pending bills. They also asked for increase of rice quantity and steps to ensure supply of domestic gas regularly.