Odisha to Include Fruits in Midday Meals for Non-Egg-Eating Students

Bhubaneswar: To ensure nutritional equity among school children, the Odisha government has announced the inclusion of fruits in the midday meal menu for students who do not consume eggs. The decision will benefit thousands of vegetarian students under the PM POSHAN (Midday Meal) scheme.

The School and Mass Education (S&ME) Department issued a directive today to all District Education Officers (DEOs), instructing them to implement the new provision across government and government-aided schools—from Sishu Vatika (pre-primary) up to Class X.

As per the order, fruits such as bananas, mangoes, or apples will be served on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, aligning with the days when eggs are currently provided to other students. The cost of the fruit served will be equivalent to the cost of one egg.

The move aims to eliminate disparities in the nutritional value of meals offered under the scheme and to ensure that vegetarian students receive similar health benefits as their peers who consume eggs.

The DEOs have been directed to make necessary logistical and financial arrangements to enable smooth implementation of the revised menu. The department has emphasized timely procurement and distribution to avoid disruptions.