Midday meal workers of Assam hit the streets here on Tuesday, opposing the state government’s move to hand over the cooking and distribution of the meals to non-government organisations (NGO).

The protesters said after getting the government’s approval, 15 NGOs are preparing to take over the task next month.

They said it would render the existing over one lakh cooks-cum-helpers jobless.

In August this year, the Centre told the state government that it may use the facility of centralised kitchen for midday meals in urban areas only. The midday meal workers on Tuesday protested in front of the office of the Sarba Siksha Abhiyan here and decided to continue the protest for the next two days.

Sarba Siksha Abhiyan officials met and tried to convince the workers that they take a decision on the issue.

“We want the government to immediately withdraw its decision. Else, we will prevent the NGOs from performing their duties. The government will be responsible for any untoward incident that may take place from such resistance,” said Bibekananda Choudhury, the leader of the workers.

So far, centralised kitchens have been engaged to supply meals to 40,782 children, covering 625 schools in Kamrup (metro) and Kamrup districts only.

The state government had signed a memorandum of understanding with the NGOs who were to start working from April this year.

However, the move was kept on hold following protests from the cook-cum-helpers.