Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (DV)

Mangaluru, Jul 16: Close on the heels of revoking no photo, videography in government offices, the BJP-led state government has flipped its controversial stance on providing eggs to the students of all the government schools under the Kalyan Karnataka Scheme in the state by nodding for the same. In this regard, the finance department has given its consent for a proposal submitted by the education department. Those students who do not consume eggs will be provided bananas or groundnut toffees.

It is learnt that the finance department has approved the proposal to extend the mid-day meal scheme of providing eggs to the students of government schools and class 1-8 students of aided schools throughout the entire state.

The education department had submitted a proposal to the government urging them to provide eggs to the children and banana or groundnut toffees for those who do not consume the non-vegetarian during the 100 days of mid-meals. Approval had been sought for estimated grants of Rs 350 crore for the purpose. But, the finance department has given the nod to provide eggs to all the schools in the state, and instead of 100 days it has given the approval to provide only for 46 days. This would cost Rs 125 crores. But the officials of the education department stated that still they have not received any communication from the finance department.

In the year 2021-22, under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakthi Nirman Yojana, eggs were provided to over 14 lakhs students from classes 1 to 8 in Bidar, Bellary, Kalburgi, Koppala, Raichur, Yadgiri, Vijayapur and Vijayanagar districts of Kalyana Karnataka where they were suffering from malnutrition. Later, the same was continued for the year 2022-23.

Recently, Congress had slammed the BJP government for sending a report that the distribution of eggs and milk to students was not necessary.

A committee formed under the Nation Education Policy on the distribution of eggs and milk to students, had opposed it.

MP D K Suresh had said, "The government is opposing the food for poor students. It is trying to bring in BJP's agenda. Do not politicise food provided to deal with malnutrition among the children."

'Take opinion from the experts'

Former minister and KPCC Committee president M B Patil had commented, "Government should obtain suggestions from the experts. When we were young we grew up drinking milk. Now they are claiming that milk and eggs should not be provided to children. The BJP government is trying to impose some of the ideologies upon the students. Let them act, as per their wish. This will be another story like Chakratheertha."

Janata Dal (S) leader H D Revanna too had accused the government of not providing the basic facilities to the students and demanded that more importance be given to education and health. He had also urged to provide shoes, socks, milk and all other basic facilities to students.