The West Bengal government has engaged ISKCON to provide midday meals in Kolkata schools, drawing criticism from opposition parties over the exclusion of eggs.
The decision was announced in the state budget presented on January 22 by Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta. It applies to schools in the Kolkata Municipal Corporation area. The meals will use vegetarian protein sources such as paneer, rajma, soybeans and pulses.
Opposition leaders from the Trinamool Congress criticised the move. Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien said it deprives children of nutrition by removing eggs. Leader of the Opposition Ritabrata Banerjee noted that eggs have been part of Bengali diets for centuries.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari welcomed the partnership. He said children will receive good food and that the allocation per student has risen from ₹6.86 to ₹10. The state government previously included eggs in the midday meal menu.
