Telangana Mid Day Meals

RS Praveen Kumar’s ‘Meat’ Question to Telangana CM Over Mid-Day Meal Scheme

Hyderabad: Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader and former IPS officer RS Praveen Kumar has raised concerns about Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy’s decision to entrust the mid-day meal scheme to the Akshaya Patra Foundation, operated by the Hare Rama Hare Krishna Charitable Foundation, an affiliate of the ISKCON foundation.

Praveen Kumar, who previously served as the Secretary of the Telangana Social Welfare Residential Educational Institutions Society (TSWREIS), urged the Chief Minister to reconsider the decision, highlighting the dietary preferences and nutritional needs of the students. He pointed out that currently, meat is included in meals provided at all residential schools and hostels, while eggs are part of the mid-day meals in government day schools and anganwadis across the state.

“You (Revanth Reddy) have also indicated that it is going to be implemented all over the state without any wider discussion at all. Please discuss this on the floor of assembly at least,” Kumar urged.

Importance of a Balanced Diet

Praveen Kumar emphasized the importance of a balanced diet that includes meat, fish, and eggs alongside leafy vegetables and cereals, which are rich sources of protein and vitamins. “Will it all stop once Akshaya Patra takes over this mid-day meals scheme? What if children do not like the food which they propose to provide? Will you prefer your own children to eat only vegan food at home or do you give them a choice? You must clarify,” he questioned the Chief Minister.

Opposition to Imposing Dietary Changes

Kumar clarified that his opposition was not against the Akshaya Patra Foundation per se but against the imposition of an “alien food habit” on children, regardless of how ‘satvik’ (pure) it might be. He advocated for increasing the menu charges beyond what is allocated to prisoners in jails and providing wholesome food, including meat, through trained parent committees in every school. He suggested that funds for this could be raised by cutting wasteful government expenditures such as advertisements. “Let’s build a strong generation, not starve it,” he remarked.

Government’s Initiative in Kodangal

The Hare Rama-Hare Krishna Charitable Foundation is set to operate a centralized kitchen that will serve breakfast and lunch to 28,000 school students in Kodangal, the constituency of Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy. On July 28, the Chief Minister discussed creating a semi-residential school as a pilot initiative in Kodangal with representatives from the foundation.

According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the construction of the centralized kitchen has already begun in Kodangal town, funded through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions. The Chief Minister plans to inaugurate the pilot project once the kitchen’s construction is complete.

Statewide Implementation Plans

Revanth Reddy has proposed conducting a comprehensive study to implement a similar project statewide, emphasizing the government’s goal of providing quality education and nutritious food to underprivileged students. The state government intends to establish one integrated residential school in each of the 119 Assembly constituencies, consolidating residential schools for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, and Minorities into single locations.

As part of the pilot project, integrated residential schools will be set up in the Kodangal and Madhira constituencies, represented by Reddy and Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, respectively. The government has already secured 20 acres of land in both Kodangal and Madhira for these schools.

Conclusion

The debate over the mid-day meal scheme in Telangana underscores the complex issues surrounding dietary habits, nutritional needs, and cultural sensitivities. As the state government moves forward with its plans, the concerns raised by RS Praveen Kumar highlight the need for a balanced approach that considers the health and preferences of all students. Ensuring that the mid-day meal scheme is both nutritious and culturally acceptable will be crucial in achieving the government’s goals of providing quality education and sustenance to underprivileged children across Telangana.

Farmers Debt Relief by INDIA Bloc