Udayavani Impact: K’taka govt finally releases delayed mid-day meal grants for schools

Bengaluru: The Karnataka state government has finally disbursed the first-quarter grant for the mid-day meal program in the 2023-24 school year, benefiting government-aided schools serving students from the 1st to 8th grades.

An earlier report by “Udayavani” highlighted the predicament faced by head teachers, educators, and school development committees who had been awaiting this grant for three to four months.

The scheme consists of Rs. 135.18 crores from the central government and Rs. 81 crores from the state government, with funds being channeled through the Department of School Education and Literacy.

This delay in releasing the allocated funds had created difficulties, particularly concerning the mid-day meal program’s heating aspect. For this year, the central government allocated Rs. 570 crores, with the state’s contribution being Rs. 330 crores. While the funds were earmarked, their delayed release had compelled teachers to dip into their own pockets to maintain the heating system.