Agartala, 9th September 2026 : Members of the Tripura Mid-day Meal Workers’ Union, affiliated with the CITU, staged a protest outside Education Bhavan in Agartala on Wednesday, demanding the immediate release of their pending wages and resolution of several long-standing grievances.
The workers gathered in front of the Education Bhavan and later submitted a memorandum to the concerned authorities, highlighting what they described as severe financial difficulties caused by the non-payment of wages for the past four consecutive months.
According to the union, one of its major demands is the immediate clearance of the outstanding wages. The organisation also alleged that the prolonged failure to recruit new mid-day meal workers has increased the workload of those currently engaged in schools. Despite the additional responsibilities, the workers claimed that their remuneration remains disproportionately low compared to the nature and volume of their duties.
The union further alleged that workers are often required to perform additional duties and work for extended hours during occasions such as Durga Puja, without receiving adequate compensation or benefits. It also claimed that several facilities and benefits that were available to workers during the previous Left Front government have subsequently been discontinued or reduced.
Addressing the gathering, union leaders criticised the policies of the BJP-led state government and alleged that workers in different sectors were facing deprivation. They also alleged political discrimination against people associated with the CPI(M). These claims are allegations made by the union, and the government’s response to them, if received, will be incorporated.
The workers said they have been performing the essential responsibility of preparing and serving meals to schoolchildren for years, but questioned how they could meet their families’ basic needs when their own wages remain unpaid for months.
The union demanded immediate payment of the four months’ arrears, recruitment of additional workers wherever necessary, and improved remuneration and benefits for mid-day meal staff.
The organisation warned that failure to address the demands could lead to a larger agitation in the coming days.
