The West Bengal government has rescinded its approval for the ISKCON-linked Akshaya Patra Foundation to supply mid-day meals in four districts. The decision was met with concerns over potential nutritional impact, as eggs are a rich source of protein and essential nutrients for children.
The West Bengal government has withdrawn its approval for the ISKCON-linked Akshaya Patra Foundation to provide mid-day meals to schools in Howrah, Purulia, North 24 Parganas, and Purba Medinipur. This decision was reported by The Indian Express on Tuesday following an order rescinded by Paromita Roy, the joint secretary of the State Education Department, on September 11, without specifying a reason.
Heads of several schools stated that arrangements had not been made for the foundation to supply cooked meals in these districts. They also expressed difficulties in providing boiled eggs separately to students, as was being done in schools in Kolkata.
It is unclear whether the Akshaya Patra Foundation has stated it will exclude eggs from the mid-day meals in the four districts. However, in states such as Karnataka and Odisha, the foundation has faced criticism from Right to Food activists for excluding eggs, onions, and garlic from its menus in line with ISKCON’s religious dietary principles.
Prior to this, students in West Bengal were usually served eggs once a week, with rice, dal, and potato curry on the remaining school days.
Source:
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