Despite soaring food prices in India, the budget for school meals remains unchanged, impacting the quality of nutrition provided to impoverished children.
Over nearly two years of high food inflation, school meals funded by the government have been affected, leading to a reduction in essential ingredients. This highlights the struggles faced by the nation’s most vulnerable and emphasizes the growing inequality in the fast-growing economy.
Interviews with stakeholders reveal that schools are cutting back on key meal components as budgets have not been adjusted despite rising costs. The Mid-Day Meal Scheme, reaching 120 million children, has been impacted, compromising the nutritional value of meals provided.
The situation is exemplified by cases like 8-year-old Ranjit Nayak, whose family struggles to afford meals beyond boiled rice. Higher costs have forced schools to opt for cheaper ingredients, compromising the overall nutrition of the meals.
With food inflation averaging 6.3% in recent years, the stagnant meal budget for students has exacerbated the situation. Despite this, the government has delayed increasing allocations, impacting the quality and quantity of food provided.
It is crucial to address nutritional schemes during periods of high inflation to combat food insecurity, but the lack of political will remains a barrier.