If the state government revamps the mid-day meal menu, it will affect the diet of approximately 55 lakh students studying across various schools in Odisha. (Representational image)
In the wake of rising price of pulses, the Odisha government is looking at a possible revamp of the mid-day meal menu. The state government could soon reduce the quantity of dal in the meal and substitute it with other protein-rich foods.
"If the dal price will be abnormally high, then it will be a crisis to supply the quantum of dal. The Mid Day Meal cell is examining the issue and will suggest the necessary steps," said Debi Mishra, Minister, School and Mass Education.
The price of a mid-day meal is Rs 4.21 for a primary school student and Rs 6.29 for an upper primary school student. Despite the rising prices of commodities, this price remains unchanged.
Currently, the price of Arhar dal is Rs 160 per kilo; it was Rs 200 a kilo a week ago. The government says if the prices rise again, they will have no option but to reduce the quantity of dal and look for alternatives.
"If the prices go up, we will look for alternatives like soybean nuggets. For vegetarian students, we are devising that fruits be provided," Mr Mishra said.
According to the government guidelines, the school children should be served 25-30 grams of dal per meal, depending on their age.
However, if the menu is revised, the quantity of dal could be cut short by 10-15 per cent, a margin nutritionists say, could affect the health of the children.
"When you take a serving of dal, it is wholesome. But if it is replaced by soybean, the protein content will not be the same. The students will also not prefer to have it every time. If pulses is reduced by 10 per cent, the protein content will also reduce by the same margin and will lead to protein deficiency among children," said Anjana Tripathy, Clinical Nutritionist.
If the state government revamps the mid-day meal menu, it will affect the diet of approximately 55 lakh students studying across various schools in Odisha.