Lucknow, Aug. 23 -- The state government has increased the honorarium of 3.53 lakh cooks-engaged in government-run primary, and upper primary schools under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Yojana for preparing the mid-day meal-by Rs.1000 per month from September 2026. It will be paid in October 2026.

The decision to hike the honorarium was taken at a cabinet meeting by circulation on Saturday after which the government order was issued.

The cooks will now receive Rs3000 per month for 10 months in a year in their accounts. An order to this effect was issued by Yatiendra Kumar, special secretary, UP government on Saturday.

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh government will also provide cashless medical facility cards to the cooks, officials said.

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