The West Bengal school education department has withdrawn its approval for the Akshaya Patra Foundation to supply mid day meals in four districts. Students will continue receiving food under the existing system for now.
Akshaya Patra approval withdrawn by department
The state government had planned to expand the mid day meal supply system beyond Kolkata. The Akshaya Patra Foundation had been assigned responsibility for providing meals to schools in Howrah, Purulia, North 24 Parganas and East Midnapore.
The decision came after the government had introduced a new arrangement for supplying mid day meals following the change in government in the state. Initially, ISKCON was given responsibility for supplying meals to schools in Kolkata. The plan was to expand the system to other districts if the Kolkata model proved successful.
Existing meal system continues for students
The Annamrita Foundation, associated with ISKCON, has already started supplying mid day meals to some schools in Kolkata. However, the planned rollout of the Akshaya Patra Foundation in the four districts has now been stopped before it could begin.
A directive issued by the school education department from Bikash Bhavan said the approval granted to the Akshaya Patra Foundation had been withdrawn. District officials have also been informed about the decision.
Approval withdrawn before rollout began
As a result, schools in Howrah, Purulia, North 24 Parganas and East Midnapore will continue providing mid day meals under the existing system. Under the current arrangement, meals are cooked at the schools and served to students on the school premises at the scheduled time. This system will continue for the time being.
The education department has not given any reason for withdrawing the approval. Meanwhile, the Annamrita Foundation will continue supplying mid day meals to schools in Kolkata under the existing arrangement.
