Siwani women cooks stage stove protest at collectorate over four‑month salary delay

Siwani, Haryana – About 5,000 women employed as cooks in government‑run kitchens converged at the district collectorate on Thursday, setting up portable stoves and preparing food in a public display of dissent. The protest stems from a four‑month delay in the payment of their honorarium, which the staff say has left many families struggling to meet basic expenses.

The women arranged the stoves in front of the collectorate building and began cooking traditional dishes, a symbolic act meant to draw attention to their plight and the hunger they face without regular wages. They have maintained a continuous sit‑in, demanding immediate clearance of pending dues and assurance against future delays.

Local officials acknowledged the grievance and said they are reviewing the payment records. However, no concrete timeline for the release of the arrears was provided at the time of reporting. The protest remains ongoing as the cooks continue their demonstration, urging the administration to resolve the issue promptly.