Jaipur- The Government of Rajasthan has introduced the Shri Krishna Bhog Yojana as part of the mid-day meal scheme in government schools across the state. Drawing inspiration from the offerings made during special ceremonies in Lord Krishna's temples, this initiative aims to provide special food to school children on designated days and events.

With the growing influence of religion and religious activities shaping a significant aspect of BJP politics, the incorporation of the Shri Krishna Bhog Yojana into the mid-day meal scheme by the Rajasthan Education Department is hardly unexpected.

In addition to the regular menu rotation of chapati-sabji, dal-chawal, and khichdi served six days a week in schools, children will now have the opportunity to enjoy special delicacies such as kheer, puri, and halwa through the Sri Krishna Bhog Yojana.

As per the scheme, school principals and teachers will collaborate to compile a list of reputable and affluent individuals from their respective areas. These individuals will contribute towards providing special meals such as kheer-puri, halwa, and other sweets to the children on specific occasions.

Additionally, donations of ghee, oil, grains, etc., are also encouraged to support the program. Moreover, under this initiative, philanthropists like Bhamashah and others can sponsor meals for children during festivals like Holi, Diwali, Rakshabandhan, Makar Sankranti, or any other religious, social, or marriage-related events.

The mid-day meal scheme, which caters to children from class 1 to 8, benefits approximately 69.31 lakh children across 70 thousand schools in the state. The menu includes staples such as roti, rice, khichdi, dal, and other nutritious items served on different days.

In the Udaipur district alone, 4,02,061 children from 3165 schools are eligible for the scheme.

Furthermore, the Bal Gopal Yojana, aimed at providing milk to children, will continue unabated. Under this scheme, children from classes 1 to 5 receive 100 ml of milk, while those from classes 6 to 8 receive 150 ml. However, there was recent misinformation circulating about providing cow's milk under the scheme, which was debunked as false. It's clarified that milk powder will continue to be utilized due to the unavailability of fresh milk on a daily basis.

The Escalating Burden of Midday Meal Costs

The escalating costs of providing midday meals per student have become a significant strain on the state's finances. Currently, the government shoulders 4.13 rupees per student, with additional expenses for food preparation and distribution totaling 7.55 rupees per head every day. This financial burden is mounting, exacerbating budgetary constraints.

Enter the Shri Krishna Bhog Yojana, offering a beacon of financial relief. Through this scheme, influential philanthropists would be invited to contribute to the cause, alleviating the financial strain on the government. By soliciting donations once or twice a week, the scheme aims to strike a balance between fiscal responsibility and ensuring students receive nutritious and delectable meals.

For many students, particularly those hailing from low-income and rural backgrounds, indulging in delicacies like Poori- halwa-kheer is a rare luxury. With the implementation of this initiative, children can savor these treats, bridging the gap between aspiration and accessibility.

The Mooknayak spoke to Maina Jain, a government school teacher posted in Sakroda of Udaipur district. The teacher said, ' Midday Meal Scheme is not just about providing nourishment; it's about ensuring that every child has the opportunity to focus on their studies without worrying about hunger. It's a crucial support system for our students." She added, "It will undoubtedly benefit the children, allowing them to relish delicacies that are otherwise unattainable in their daily lives."

In Lakshadweep, the administration provides food, encompassing a variety of options such as meat, chicken, fish, eggs, and other essential items to the school-going children.  Lakshadweep had been serving meat in mid-day meals since 1950s  to students from pre-primary to elementary levels and that since 2009, non-vegetarian meals were provided to students till Class 12 as well.

The Midday Meal Scheme in India

The Mid Day Meal Scheme, renamed as the PM-POSHAN Scheme (in 2021), is a school meal program in India aimed at improving the nutritional status of school-age children across the country. This initiative provides free lunches on working days to children attending government primary and upper primary schools, government-aided Anganwadis, Madarsas, and Maqtabs. Serving a staggering 120 million children in over 1.27 million schools and Education Guarantee Scheme centers, the Midday Meal Scheme stands as the largest program of its kind globally.

The origins of the Midday Meal Scheme can be traced back to the Union Territory of Puducherry under French administration as early as 1930. In post-independent India, the scheme gained significant traction when it was first introduced in Tamil Nadu, spearheaded by former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj in the early 1960s. Over the years, the initiative expanded its reach, and by 2002, it was mandated to be implemented across all states under the directives of the Supreme Court of India.

Supreme Court Mandate: Ensuring the Right to Food

In April 2001, the People's Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) initiated the Public Interest Litigation (Civil) No. 196/2001, People's Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India & Others, famously known as the "right to food" case.

The PUCL contended that Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, the "right to life," in conjunction with Articles 39(a) and 47, establishes the right to food as a derived fundamental right enforceable through Article 32 of the Constitution.

They advocated for the utilization of excess food stocks held by the Food Corporation of India to feed hungry citizens, including the provision of midday meals in primary schools.

This scheme was set into motion by a Supreme Court order dated 28 November 2001, mandating all government and government-assisted primary schools to furnish cooked midday meals.