Chhattisgarh Cooks' Strike: Wage Hike Announced Amidst Deaths, Misinformation Debunked

• Mid-day meal cooks in Chhattisgarh protested low wages, demanding an increase from 66 rupees to over 400 rupees daily.
• The Directorate of Public Education announced a 25% wage hike (500 rupees) and urged cooks to end the strike.
• Two women cooks died after participating in the protest; one from Balod district and another from Bemetara district, who had a pre-existing serious illness.
• The Directorate of Public Education refuted reports of an ongoing strike as misleading and baseless, stating discussions were held and a wage increase implemented.
• Approximately 95% of the protesting cooks are women, many from tribal and rural areas, facing difficult home circumstances.

Why It Matters: Chhattisgarh government increased cooks' wages by 25% amidst protests and deaths, refuting ongoing strike claims.