Fresh directives to schools involve mid-day meals, now including fruit offerings alongside children’s food, as per received information. As per the directions of the Indian government, a social audit was conducted at Punjab University in 10 districts under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. During this audit, teachers were suggested by students’ parents to include fruits along with the mid-day meal.
It is being reported that the government has directed schools to make bananas available to every student once a week (on Mondays, starting from January to March 2024) along with the lunch. An amount of Rs. 5/- per banana per student will be separately provided to schools. This will be reconciled with the E-Punjab app’s attendance rate. Additionally, changes have been made to the mid-day meal menu. These directives will be effective from January 1st, 2024, until March 31st, 2024.
It is being mentioned that the revised menu includes dal (mixed seasonal vegetables), and roti on Mondays, rajma and rice on Tuesdays, black chana/white chana (with potatoes) and puri on Wednesdays, kadhi (potato-onion pakoras) and rice on Thursdays, seasonal vegetables and roti on Fridays, and dal (bottle gourd-pumpkin) and rice on Saturdays. Additionally, once a week, sweet dishes like kheer will be included as part of the menu.
