Ludhiana, Sept. 9 -- Mid-day meals were disrupted at several government schools in the district on Tuesday as cook-cum-helpers went on a strike to press for a hike in their monthly honorarium. While meals could not be prepared at many schools, replacements were arranged at some institutions to ensure students were served lunch.

At several schools, workers either reported for duty or arranged replacements in their absence, said Jagjeet Singh Mann, headmaster of Government Primary School, Mangli Uchi, and district president of the Government Teachers' Union. "At many schools there was no mid-day meal prepared on Tuesday as the workers went on strike," he said.

The workers have warned that they will suspend work again on September 12 if th...