Mid-day meal: Children in government schools to get seasonal fruits

Chandigarh: Children attending government schools in Punjab will receive seasonal fruits starting from February 12 as part of the mid-day meal scheme. The Punjab government has decided to provide local seasonal fruits to the children once a week.

The education department issued a letter recently instructing school heads and district education officers to distribute seasonal fruits to students every Monday.

Punjab has now joined the states initiating fruit distribution to children. Previously, bananas were introduced into the school meals starting from January 1st.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann approved the decision to provide seasonal fruits today. This initiative aims to prevent fruit spoilage in Punjab’s orchards and promote horticulture.

The Punjab Mid-Day Meal Society stated in a letter that school principals should ensure the implementation of this decision at their level. Approximately five to six rupees will be allocated per student for seasonal fruits.

Government school children will start receiving seasonal fruits from next Monday, February 12. Kinnow, guava, plum, mango, and litchi will be included based on seasonal availability.

In the Abohar area, kinnow growers are facing challenges due to falling prices, making this decision a potential boon for them. Currently, mid-day meals are served to 18.35 lakh children from pre-nursery to class VIII in 19,120 government schools in Punjab.

With an annual expenditure of Rs. 6 per student on seasonal fruits, approximately Rs. 52.86 crore will be allocated for fruit procurement, which could benefit Punjab’s growers. The state has 19.75 lakh students enrolled in schools.

The central government allocates around Rs. 456 crore annually for the PM Poshan (Mid-Day Meal) program.