PANAJI
Bengaluru-based Akshay Patra Foundation is all set to commence the supply of mid-day meals to around 2,500 students on a trial basis from the coming academic year onwards that is from April 1.
The foundation's new state-of-the-art kitchen facility will be inaugurated on March 17 by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. "This milestone marks a significant step towards providing nutritious mid-day meals to thousands of children in the state," the foundation said.
The State government had in August 2023 finalized Akshay Patra Foundation to supply mid-day meals in those schools, where currently no SGHs are providing meals. State in March, last year signed an agreement with Akshay Patra, which is selected as an alternative to SHGs in case of emergencies.
Highly placed sources informed that from April 1 onwards, Akshay Patra will be roped in to supply mid-day meals to 2,500 students on trial basis. The foundation has obtained the required licence from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) and Health Department and has put in place a kitchen facility.
As reported earlier, the foundation will be paid on the lines of SHGs and PTAs, that is Rs 8.75 per student per day for 100gms of the meal at the pre-primary (of government and government-aided schools) and primary level, and Rs 11.12 per student per day for 150gms of the meal for upper primary school students.
Also, the meal menu is fixed which does not include refined flour or maida. Dishes such as mixed vegetable idlis and mixed vegetable pulao, chole chapati, vegetarian kurma and potato bhaji will be served.
