Bhubaneswar: To address rising costs and ensure better nutrition for students, the Odisha government has increased the allowance for mid-day meals in schools. Announcing the decision, School and Public Education Minister Nityanand Gond stated that the state will now spend an additional Re 1 per meal for each student, in response to growing inflation and the rising prices of essential food items.
Minister Gond explained that the current expenditure on mid-day meals for primary school children stands at Rs 5.90 per meal, which will now be increased by Re 1. Similarly, for upper primary students, the allowance will rise from Rs 8.82 per meal. This increase is expected to significantly improve the quality of meals provided to schoolchildren across the state.
“The rising prices of essential goods have made it difficult for schools to provide nutritious meals to children within the current allowance,” Gond noted. He further explained that the government had received multiple complaints about the declining quality of mid-day meals, as schools struggled to meet nutrition standards within the existing budget.
By raising the meal allowance, the Odisha government aims to ease the pressure on school authorities and ensure that children receive wholesome, nutritious meals every day. This step is part of the state’s broader commitment to improving the welfare and health of students, particularly in the wake of inflation-driven challenges.