📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Joydeep
Education
West Bengal expands ISKCON mid‑day meal scheme to all districts
✍️ The Avenue Mail
🗓 08 Nov 2026, 01:32 PM
👁 9
The West Bengal government has announced the statewide rollout of the ISKCON-sponsored mid‑day meal programme, extending it to schools across the state.
Kolkata, West Bengal – The state administration confirmed that the ISKCON mid‑day meal scheme, previously limited to select districts, will now be implemented in every school across West Bengal. The decision aims to enhance nutritional support for school‑aged children and bolster attendance rates.
Officials said the expansion will be coordinated with the ISKCON Trust, which will continue to supply vegetarian meals prepared under its quality standards. The government will allocate additional funds to cover logistics, kitchen infrastructure, and monitoring mechanisms.
The rollout is scheduled to begin in the upcoming academic session, with training programmes for school staff and volunteers to ensure compliance with hygiene and safety protocols. Education department sources indicated that the move aligns with the state's broader goal of improving child health outcomes.
Stakeholders, including parents and teachers, have welcomed the initiative, citing the potential for reduced malnutrition and better learning environments. The scheme's impact will be tracked through periodic audits and feedback from participating schools.
Officials said the expansion will be coordinated with the ISKCON Trust, which will continue to supply vegetarian meals prepared under its quality standards. The government will allocate additional funds to cover logistics, kitchen infrastructure, and monitoring mechanisms.
The rollout is scheduled to begin in the upcoming academic session, with training programmes for school staff and volunteers to ensure compliance with hygiene and safety protocols. Education department sources indicated that the move aligns with the state's broader goal of improving child health outcomes.
Stakeholders, including parents and teachers, have welcomed the initiative, citing the potential for reduced malnutrition and better learning environments. The scheme's impact will be tracked through periodic audits and feedback from participating schools.