Mumbai, Jan 31 – The Maharashtra government has withdrawn financial support for providing eggs and sugar in mid-day meals for students from classes 1 to 8. Schools have now been directed to serve “egg pulao” and nachni sattu as optional dishes, but with a key condition—eggs and sugar must be sourced through public donations instead of government funds.
Under the revised policy, no additional budget will be allocated for these ingredients. This change impacts the mid-day meal program, which serves millions of students across government schools in the state. While the government aims to promote nutrition through alternative sources, concerns have been raised about the feasibility of relying on donations for essential dietary components.
Education and nutrition advocates fear that the new directive could lead to inconsistencies in meal quality and availability, particularly in underprivileged areas where donation-based models may not be sustainable. Critics argue that this move could undermine the objective of the mid-day meal scheme, which is to provide balanced nutrition to students from economically weaker sections.
The decision has sparked reactions from various stakeholders, including parents, educators, and child welfare organizations. Many are urging the government to reconsider its stance and ensure that students receive essential nutrients without dependency on external donations.
Further discussions and responses from the state government are awaited as the education sector adapts to these changes.
