Peanut chikkis and bananas take over eggs in Bengaluru schools

Owing to the surge in the retail prices of eggs to Rs 7 each, government schools in Bengaluru prefer peanut chikkis and bananas over eggs. Any of these eatables is to be provided to students in government schools as nutrition supplements as part of Midday Meal Scheme.

The government has capped the price for these eatables at Rs 6 each. However even as the price of egg is quite over a rupee to the capped price, bananas and chikkis cost a little less than Rs 6 as fixed by government.

The schools, as per rules and government order, can't replace eggs with chikkis and bananas. Eggs are to be given to children preferably over chikkis and bananas.

According to Department of Public Instruction sources, action would be taken against such schools that replace giving of eggs with chikkis and bananas to children in classes 1 to 8.

In the recent supplementary budget after assuming power, CM Siddaramaiah has extended this scheme to class 9 and 10 students as well.

As per government order, eggs have to be provided for consumption to children in schools twice a week and 46 days a year.