WARANGAL: The state government’s mid-day meal programme is hit by the increased prices of eggs. Food contractors complain that they are being forced to provide eggs to the students without providing the additional price. They rue that due to increase in prices of the vegetables and eggs, they are incurring losses.
While the government is paying '4 per egg, the food agencies are procuring eggs at a cost of Rs 7 per egg. This has become a burden for them.
“Except for the rice, we are already paying for all the edibles and now, we are spending Rs 3 additionally for each egg. The state government must help us to run the programme by providing the additional amount to us until the prices go down,” said Kavitha, member of a food agency. In Jangaon district, there are 656 primary schools, upper primary schools, and high schools.
About 600 food agencies are working to provide midday meals in these schools. They are providing meals to about 32,000 students across the district. For the students from class I to V, Rs 4.13 is being spent per day, similarly, it is Rs 6.18 for students of classes VI to X. During the days egg is served, '4 is being spent additionally. 2.88 lakh eggs are provided to the students every month.
The food agencies are incurring a loss of '86.40 lakh by providing eggs at the increased prices. However, the education department has asked the food contractors to continue providing eggs irrespective of the increased prices. The food agencies which are mostly run by women are afraid to withdraw their services as it may lead to them losing other privileges provided as part of their self-help group schemes.
The women say it is unfair that instead of earning some money through this scheme, they are incurring losses. They say it is the responsibility of the government to see that they are not at a loss while providing nutritious food to the school students.
