Bengaluru: The state government plans to extend its popular mid-day meal scheme to pre-university college students across Karnataka from the next academic year, according to official sources.
Primary and secondary education minister, S. Suresh Kumar has discussed the extension of the scheme to PU students with Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and he has agreed to do so from the next academic year, say officials of the Department of Public Instruction and Pre- University Education .
The move , which will benefit over nine lakh students in state- run and aided PU colleges, is likely to cost the government an additional Rs 180 crore annually .
The decision has reportedly been taken in response to a growing demand from the students and various non -governmental organisations. Several private organisations like Adamya Chethana have come forward to help the state government serve mid-day meals to PU college students, sources reveal.
The state government currently provides mid-day meals to over 55 lakh students of classes 1 to 10 in 55, 307 government and aided primary and high schools under the scheme introduced in 2007.
Under the ‘Akshara Dasoha’ scheme, both the Union and state governments give a Rs 3.31 lakh grant for construction of a kitchen in every school, sharing the cost in a 75 : 25 ratio.
But as there is no provision for the Centre to release grants for construction of kitchens in PU colleges, the state government will have to bear the entire cost of building them in 1,878 PU colleges and also pay the wages of the cooks and assistants to prepare their mid- day meals from its own funds.
Since the introduction of mid- day meals, enrolment of students has increased in government schools, and their performance too has improved, claim officials.
Welcoming the move, Mr Revanna, director of the State Government Employees’ Association elected from the Teachers’ Association,said it was wise of the state government to extend the scheme to PU colleges, where a majority of students are from poor rural backgrounds .
