Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 14 May 2024
Chairman of the Andaman Nicobar Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC) Campaign Committee, Mr. TSG Bhasker, has addressed a pressing concern regarding the quality of food served to students under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
In a letter directed to the Chief Secretary of the A&N Administration on Saturday, Mr. Bhasker highlighted a noticeable decline in the quality of meals provided in schools. Numerous parents have voiced grievances regarding the lack of nutritional value, improper cooking, and unappealing taste of the food served to their children.
Mr. Bhasker underscored the urgency of revising the menu of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. He proposed the inclusion of nutritious items such as bananas, eggs, milk, paneer, and curd. Additionally, he recommended diversifying the vegetable dishes offered, noting a repetitive reliance on potatoes and soya beans.
To address these concerns, Mr. Bhasker suggested that the A&N Administration review the menus implemented by the governments of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry and consider adopting similar practices. He argued that this approach would not only enhance the nutritional status of students but also cater to their taste preferences.
Furthermore, Mr. Bhasker emphasized the importance of developing a specialized menu for tribal children residing in remote villages, tailored to their dietary preferences.
In his correspondence, Mr. Bhasker urged the Chief Secretary to deploy designated officers as supervisors to monitor the taste and quality of food served in schools. This, he believes, would not only ensure the well-being of students but also potentially boost enrolment rates in the coming years.
The recommendations put forth by Mr. Bhasker reflect a concerted effort to address the critical issue of nutrition and food quality in schools across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, with the ultimate goal of fostering a healthier and more conducive learning environment for students.