She is just one of the many workers suffering on account of the Education department’s lack of coordination with a local private manpower company — Silver Star Industrial and Allied Services.

The department had outsourced the contract for hiring maids/helpers for the mid-day meal scheme and these workers are now the objects of the company’s harsh and self-declared rules.

Workers as well as applicants have a story to tell. “I am constantly harassed by the contractors. I was on leave for a week due to medical reasons and when rejoined, they denied to resume my services saying the DPI(S) has passed the order. They do not pay us on time and also keep some amount of our salary,” said a maid on the condition of anonymity.

“Since the last ten days, I have been visiting company officials for employment but everyday they find an excuse not to accept my application. The company is charging us Rs 200 for just filling up the form,” said an applicant.

DPI(S) S K Setia said: “We have received several complaints against the company. The firm has failed to pay the workers on time and that too not the full amount.”

Officials of Silver Star Industrial and Allied Services denied all claims saying they had nothing to do with the mid-day mealscheme.