Assam's Chief Minister Proposes Breakfast Addition to Mid-Day Meal Scheme

Expansion of Mid-Day Meal Scheme in Assam

Guwahati, June 15: On Sunday, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced plans to enhance the mid-day meal (MDM) initiative in Assam by incorporating breakfast, with the goal of increasing school attendance and decreasing dropout rates among children from low-income families.

During the foundation stone-laying event for a Rs 25.45-crore centralized mid-day meal kitchen in Dibrugarh, Sarma emphasized that offering both breakfast and lunch in schools could significantly improve enrollment, especially in rural areas and tea garden regions.

“By providing mid-day meals to the 35 lakh school-going children in Assam and arranging breakfasts—whether in tea gardens or other locations—we can greatly enhance school attendance among underprivileged children and lower dropout rates,” the Chief Minister stated.

He further mentioned that this initiative would create new educational opportunities for children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and ensure their basic nutritional needs are met, which is vital for their physical and cognitive growth.

Sarma also revealed that the government plans to establish centralized MDM kitchens in Nalbari, Tezpur, Dibrugarh, and Lakhimpur, which will provide mid-day meals to students in those districts.

“The state government will oversee the construction of these kitchens, while the Hare Krishna Foundation and Akshaya Patra will collaborate with the government for meal distribution,” he added. He noted that a similar kitchen was launched in Majuli earlier in 2024.

Currently, Assam operates three centralized kitchens located in Kamrup (Metro), Kamrup, and Jorhat districts.

Sarma underscored the broader significance of the mid-day meal scheme, highlighting its role in not only enhancing school attendance but also ensuring that children receive the necessary nutrition for their growth and educational success.