Kolkata50 minutes agoAuthor: Tirthankar Das
The West Bengal government has announced that ISKCON will begin serving mid-day meals in government schools across Kolkata from August 1 under a pilot project, while eggs will be provided separately through Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to ensure students receive adequate protein.
ISKCON begins school meals from August
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the government has removed the disparity in mid-day meal funding between primary and upper primary schools. Earlier, the allocation was ₹10 per student for upper primary and high schools, compared with ₹6.78 per student for primary schools. The allocation has now been increased to ₹10 per student for primary schools as well.
Eggs supplied separately through SHGs
The Chief Minister said ISKCON will serve pure vegetarian, protein-rich meals, while SHGs will distribute eggs separately so that students receive a balanced and nutritious diet.
The pilot project will begin in a large number of schools across Kolkata on August 1 before being expanded. The government said ISKCON will eventually be responsible for preparing and supplying mid-day meals to government schools across the state.
Pilot project launches across Kolkata schools
The decision comes amid earlier debates over the introduction of vegetarian meals after the government handed over the mid-day meal programme to ISKCON. While the organisation serves only vegetarian food, the government had maintained that protein can be obtained from vegetarian sources as well.
With the latest announcement, the state has decided to continue providing eggs separately through SHGs alongside ISKCON-prepared meals, aiming to ensure students receive complete nutritional support.
