Ludhiana, Sept. 11 -- With funds allocated for cooking costs under the mid-day meal scheme remaining pending for months, school meal workers in the district have alleged that several institutions are no longer providing LPG cylinders, forcing them to resort to traditional wood fires to prepare food for students.

Mid-Day Meal Workers' Union district president Parveen Kumari said financial strain is severely impacting both workers and school administrations. She said Rs.1,000 from the Rs.3,000 monthly honorarium due to workers for July remains uncleared, while cooking costs have not reached schools since May.

"School heads also feel helpless because they do not have cooking costs. They are trying to cut expenses wherever possible. Even if...