Karnataka: Rise in egg prices triggers demand for mid-day meal fund hike

Amid demands to rise the average funds allotted for the purchase of eggs under the mid-day meal scheme, School Education and Literacy Minister Madhu Bangarappa. Though the price was ₹7.10 per egg some time ago, it is around ₹5.33 to ₹5.93 per egg in August.”

Earlier, Mr. While the administration was providing ₹6 per egg, and demanded that the government rise the amount to match the market rate.

Acknowledging that egg distribution had been affected in some districts where the number of students is high and egg consumption among them is also high, the Minister pointed to variations in consumption, with some children not consuming eggs daily owing to certain beliefs and practices and preferring bananas on some days, gowda said the rate of an egg was currently hovering between ₹8 and ₹8.50. “This is also helping teachers manage supplies even when the price goes up in the market,” he said.

Shoes distribution

To another question from Congress member Bilkis Bano on the distribution of shoes and socks to school children, the Minister stated that it would be completed by August 28.

“The delay in distribution is due to a change in the process. We have also imposed a penalty clause in case of delayed supply. As many as 14 lakh pairs have to be supplied, and the process will be completed by August 28,” he stated. He added that the administration’s expenditure on the distribution of shoes and socks had come down from ₹116 crore annually to ₹76 crore.