A chicken and egg situation: Problems in mid-day meal scheme implementation

Analysis of data shows that India has fewer states now providing egg in mid-day meal schemes, even fewer are provisioning fruits and only a third of the states/UTs are giving milk to children

In June, the Kerala High Court put a temporary stay on a controversial order passed by the Lakshadweep administration banning chicken and meat from the mid-day meal scheme. While passing the order, the division bench asked the government why it was upsetting the food habits of the region.

Lakshadweep is among the few states which offer meat and chicken to its school going students as part of the mid-day meal programme. The number of states providing meat in the diet has fallen. Analysis of annual work plan and budget reports from the states for 2015-16 and 2020-21 shows that while