Chitradurga: As many as 2.8 lakh students studying in govt schools across 14 taluks in five mining-affected districts of Karnataka will receive nutritious food in the evening under a new initiative aimed at improving children’s health and preventing malnutrition.
The supplementary food distribution had begun in schools and measures were being taken to maintain hygiene and nutritional quality said DDPI R Manjunath.
distribution began on Oct 22, following the reopening of schools after the Dasara vacation Although launched in Oct. On Saturdays, students will receive an orange, sweet lime or another fruit weighing between 130 and 150g. The average expenditure has been fixed at Rs 6.5 per student. Existing cooking staff will prepare the snacks and receive an additional Rs 500 over their regular remuneration.
Each student will receive 50g of supplementary food on weekdays. Chickpea usli will be served on Mondays and Thursdays, green gram usli on Tuesdays and Fridays, and groundnut usli on Wednesdays. The programme will run for three years. School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMCs), along with headmasters, will purchase locally available vegetables and fruits. The respective ZPs will supervise implementation.