Yogi Adityanath Announces Health Cover For 3.54 Lakh UP Mid-Day Meal Cooks

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced cashless medical cards for 3.54 lakh cooks working under the state’s mid-day meal programme. The initiative is aimed at strengthening healthcare support for workers involved in preparing meals for children in government schools. Adityanath described the move as an effort to protect the health, safety and dignity of the cooks, many of whom are women.

Adityanath highlighted the role played by school cooks under the PM Poshan scheme, saying their work contributes not only to preparing meals but also to the health and education of millions of children. He referred to the women working in school kitchens as “cook mothers and sisters” and described them as the foundational strength of the programme. The Chief Minister said their contribution involved both dedication and care towards the children they serve.

The distribution of the cashless medical cards is expected to be accompanied by an event honouring the workers. The health cover is intended to provide greater access to medical treatment and reduce the financial burden associated with healthcare expenses. The initiative marks a shift towards addressing the welfare needs of cooks in addition to recognising their contribution to the implementation of the school meal programme.

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Adityanath described the cooks as “karmayogis”, stressing that their responsibilities extend beyond simply preparing food. He said the state government was seeking to ensure that workers associated with the programme could lead more secure and dignified lives. The announcement also reflects the government's emphasis on extending welfare measures to workers who play an important role in delivering public services at the grassroots level.

The PM Poshan scheme provides cooked meals to eligible children in government and government-aided schools across India. Cooks and kitchen workers are responsible for preparing and serving these meals, making them an essential part of the programme’s implementation. In Uttar Pradesh, the newly announced medical cards are expected to provide healthcare assistance to a large group of these workers.

The Chief Minister linked the initiative to the welfare agenda of the BJP-led “double-engine government” at the Centre and in Uttar Pradesh. By extending cashless healthcare support to 3.54 lakh mid-day meal cooks, the state government is seeking to combine recognition of their work with measures focused on their wellbeing. Adityanath said the initiative reflects the broader goal of ensuring that those contributing to children’s welfare also receive support for their own health and dignity.

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