BENGALURU: Despite the ongoing economic challenges, the Karnataka government has come under fire for failing to pay the salaries of 49,855 kitchen staff responsible for preparing and serving midday meals to school children across the state. Reports indicate that many of these workers have not received their honorarium for at least two months, while staff in certain districts have not been paid since June and July 2024. The delay is said to be caused by a lack of funding, with little indication that the issue will be resolved soon.
The problem came to light during a meeting held on October 23, 2024, which addressed various issues faced by the kitchen staff, known as Bisi Oota ( Hot meals ) makers under the state’s midday meal scheme. The meeting revealed that despite continuous service during the peak drought months of April and May 2024, the kitchen staff have yet to receive their payments. The non-payment of salaries has not only led to financial difficulties for the workers but has also raised questions about the government’s commitment to welfare schemes.
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has also been criticized, particularly for his failure to address salary issues affecting over a thousand kitchen staff in six taluks, including his own constituency of Kanakapura. According to sources, the delays stem from a lack of funds, with government departments struggling to release payments on time.
The Karnataka government was expected to release a total grant of ₹12.16 crores as part of the honorarium payments, with the funding shared on a 60:40 ratio between the central and state governments. The central government was to contribute ₹7.29 crores, while the state government’s share was ₹4.86 crores. However, despite two proposals being submitted to the central government in April and August 2024, the funds have yet to be released. This delay has left the Bisi Oota makers in dire financial straits, struggling to make ends meet.
According to officials, a technical issue involving PAN and Aadhaar card linkages with bank accounts has also contributed to the non-payment of salaries for June 2024. However, the issue has extended far beyond technical glitches, with the lack of funding emerging as a major barrier. Even in July, kitchen staff across various districts—totaling 1,158, including 661 from Kanakapura alone—reported unpaid salaries. Other affected areas include KR Pet (148 workers), Maddur (26 workers), Mandya (151 workers), Chittapur (107 workers), and Surpur (65 workers).
The situation has only worsened in recent months, as no funds have been released for the months of August, September, and October 2024. Sources reveal that even the first installment of the central government grant has not been disbursed, creating further delays in salary payments. While officials have cited a range of issues from technical glitches to administrative hurdles, it is clear that a lack of funds remains the primary reason for the delays.
The state government has sought approval for the release of ₹123.73 crores out of the ₹303 crore grant under the Ksheera bhagya Yojana, a state scheme designed to provide additional remuneration (top-up) to kitchen staff. Despite seeking consent from the Finance Department, the proposal is still pending, and salaries cannot be disbursed until it is approved. This bureaucratic bottleneck has only added to the woes of the kitchen staff, who are already reeling under the weight of unpaid dues.
Adding to the controversy, kitchen staff who have completed 60 years of age and were released from service were supposed to receive retirement payments. Although the relevant government order has been approved by the minister, it has yet to be officially issued. With the announcement of the upcoming by-elections, the implementation of this order has been delayed due to the enforcement of the election code of conduct, meaning the payments are unlikely to be processed until after the elections.
Minister Madhu Bangarappa, who oversees the midday meal program, has reportedly discussed these issues with concerned officials, but no concrete solutions have been proposed. The prolonged delays have sparked widespread criticism from both opposition parties and advocacy groups, who accuse the government of failing to uphold its promises to kitchen staff and prioritize their welfare.
The Karnataka government’s inability to resolve the ongoing salary crisis has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters. Opposition leaders have accused the ruling administration of neglect and incompetence, questioning why the state is facing such severe funding shortages for essential services. “It is appalling that during a drought when families are already struggling, the government cannot ensure that even the kitchen staff feeding our school children are paid their due wages,” stated an opposition spokesperson. “This is a failure of the highest order.”
The controversy has also brought Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar into the spotlight, particularly as the issue affects staff in his constituency. Critics have questioned his leadership and ability to manage the state’s finances, with accusations that the administration has failed to allocate necessary funds for vital schemes, including the midday meal program.
Furthermore, the financial mismanagement could have broader political repercussions, especially with by-elections around the corner. The delays in releasing funds, coupled with the lack of transparency, have raised questions about the government’s financial stability and priorities. With an increasing number of scandals related to unpaid wages, corruption, and fund misallocation, the Karnataka administration is likely to face tough questions from the electorate.
In response to the crisis, the state government has claimed that the technical and administrative issues are being addressed, and that efforts are underway to streamline the salary payment process. However, the statements have done little to alleviate the concerns of the kitchen staff, who remain unpaid. Despite reassurances, no clear timeline has been provided for when the pending dues will be settled.
The situation continues to highlight the inefficiencies within the state’s administrative and financial systems, with reports suggesting that the Finance Department is yet to prioritize the matter. The ongoing delays suggest deeper systemic issues, which, if not addressed, could undermine the credibility of the state’s welfare schemes and affect the livelihoods of thousands of families dependent on government salaries.
The Karnataka government’s failure to pay the salaries of thousands of kitchen staff, even as they worked through difficult conditions during the drought, reflects poorly on its financial management and prioritization of welfare schemes. The ongoing delays in releasing funds, coupled with technical and bureaucratic hurdles, have left these workers in a precarious situation.
