Midday meal scheme may be extended to Karnataka colleges

Pros and cons of providing meals at subsidised prices to be discussed

Addressing an issue: The proposal is being considered as ‘nutrition is important for students to improve their learning skills and competence’, says Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. File Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

The State government is contemplating a proposal to provide midday meals at subsidised rates to students, teaching and non-teaching staff of all government colleges in the State.

Speaking at a function organised to mark the golden jubilee celebrations of the Government Women’s Polytechnic here on Monday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the government would not allow any person to suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Nutrition is important for students to improve their learning skills and competence.

The government will discuss the pros and cons of the proposal to provide midday meals at subsidised prices, he said.

The Government has already launched Anna Bhagya scheme and has been providing rice at Re. 1-a-kg to below poverty line (BPL) families in the State.

Earlier, Roshan Baig, Congress MLA, urged the State government to provide midday meals at Rs. 5, Rs. 15 and Rs. 20 for students, non-teaching and teaching faculty, respectively. Responding to Mr. Baig’s demand, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the government would consider the demand after discussing availability of financial resources for it.

Noting that the government was committed to providing quality education to students of all classes, Mr. Siddaramaiah said the quality should not remain only on paper.

Equality in society would be established only when all students get quality education and jobs, he said.

The Chief Minister also promised to provide funds for construction of an auditorium for the college, which has been securing 90 per cent pass results over the years.

Higher Education Minister R.V. Deshpande, PWD Minister H.C. Mahadevappa, MLC Ramachandra Gowda and other officials attended the programme.