The Hindu : Karnataka News : Milk may find place in midday meal scheme

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Mar 16, 2005

Karnataka

Karnataka

Milk may find place in midday meal scheme

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, MARCH 15. The Minister for Primary and Secondary Education, R. Ramalinga Reddy, today informed the Legislative Council that the Government will consider the suggestion of Ramachandra Gowda (BJP) to provide milk to children in government schools along with the midday meal.

Mr. Gowda, who raised the issue during Question Hour, said the State the dairies in the State are converting surplus milk into powder. Instead of that, the Government should provide milk to children in government schools.

The Minister said providing milk will will require Rs. 220 crores. The Government is spending Rs. 262 crores for providing midday meal to 68 lakh children.

The acting Chairman, V.R. Sudarshan, supported the suggestion and asked the Minister to consider it.

Mr. Reddy said he would place the suggestion before the Cabinet for its consideration.

To another question by Marithibbe Gowda (Congress) on treating physical education instructors in pre-university colleges as lecturers, the Minister said physical education instructors could not be treated as lecturers as there is no teaching involved in their work.

The Minister's stand was disputed by several members, including `Mukhyamantri' Chandru (BJP).

The Minister said the Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, has allocated Rs. 490 crores more for education in the budget and he would try to sanction 14 more posts of physical education teachers to fill all the vacancies.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka