India, Aug. 1 -- Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday announced doubling the honorarium of mid-day meal cooks, guards, physical education and health instructors at schools in the latest of such announcements ahead of the assembly election in Bihar this year.

The honorarium of cooks will be increased from Rs.1,650 to Rs.3300, while that of guards from Rs.5,000 to Rs.10,000, and instructors from Rs.8,000 to Rs.16,000, with an annual increment of Rs.200 to Rs.400. "This has been done to boost their morale for greater efficiency and sincerity in their work, as they play a vital role in the education system," said Kumar on X. He said the government has been consistently working for improvement in the education system.

Kumar said the educati...