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Soaring Vegetable prices hit mid-day meal scheme
Hike in vegetable prices compounded the woes of organisers of mid-day meal agencies in the government schools as they are already facing financial crunch due to pending bills for months together.
Srikakulam: Hike in vegetable prices compounded the woes of organisers of mid-day meal agencies in the government schools as they are already facing financial crunch due to pending bills for months together.
Demand for vegetables increased due to Kaarthika Maasam and as a result prices have been increased. The price rise is directly hitting the quality of mid-day meal in the government schools as allocated funds are insufficient.
As per the education department statistics, total students are 3.80 lakh, who are studying in 3,000 government primary, upper primary and high schools across the district.
According to civil supplies department report on Sunday, prices of various vegetables in open market and Rythu Bazars - tomato and lady fingers cost at Rs 42 and Rs 35 per kg, brinjal rate is Rs 40 and Rs 33, cauliflower price at Rs 36 and Rs 30, price of cluster beans is Rs 40 and Rs 32, cost of cabbage is Rs 42 and Rs 34, french beans is Rs 64 and Rs 55, price of bitter gourd is Rs 37 and Rs 30, rate of ribbed gourd Rs 38 and Rs 30, cost of onions is Rs 35 and Rs 30.
“Vegetable curries must be provided for students three days in a week and remaining three days egg curry as per menu provided by the government. It is difficult to provide quality food to students with the approved government rates in the back drop of rise of vegetable prices every month,” Mid-day Meal Organisers and Workers Union district president K Nagamani pointed out.
“In addition to price rise, we are not being paid bills for mid-day meals every month properly and at present payments have been pending for the past four months,” she elaborated.
By Ch Lakshmana Rao
