A significant increase in the price of eggs is creating a major challenge for schools in the Hubballi district, threatening to disrupt a crucial nutritional program for students. The School Development and Monitoring Committees (SDMCs) and school managements are finding it increasingly difficult to continue distributing eggs as part of the midday meal scheme.
Financial Strain on Nutritional Program
The core of the problem lies in a mismatch between government funding and market reality. The government provides only Rs 6 per egg, a sum that must also cover transportation and peeling charges. However, during the winter months, the market price surged from Rs 6.5 to Rs 7.5 per egg. This gap has left schools struggling to cover the extra cost.
Officials revealed that the initiative impacts a vast number of children. Across the district's 1,070 schools, there are 1,78,760 students, with eggs being distributed to approximately 75% of them. The program is a joint effort, with eggs provided by the government for two days a week and by the Azim Premji Foundation for the remaining four days.
Appeals for Government Intervention
Fakkirayya Hiremath, the SDMC president, has been vocal about the financial pressure. He stated that providing eggs at the government-fixed rate of Rs 6 is no longer feasible, as the actual cost is at least Rs 2 higher per egg. "The committee has been regularly requesting the government to revise the price," Hiremath emphasized.
He also highlighted a logistical hurdle: many schools lack the basic facilities to boil eggs. "Since schools lack facilities to boil the eggs, distributing boiled eggs has also become a challenge. At least now, the government should provide materials required to boil eggs in the schools," he requested. Meanwhile, organizations like ISKCON and the Adamya Chetana Foundation support the program by supplying readymade meals.
Market Trends and Official Response
Egg vendor Suleman Saba confirmed the price trend, noting the increase to Rs 7.5 in December. He mentioned a slight recent reduction of 25 paise but predicted rates would likely remain stable for the month. On the official front, Roopa Purumkar, the education officer for PM Poshan Shakti Nirman (Midday Meal), acknowledged that meals with nutritional items like eggs and bananas are provided for six days. She confirmed that most schools have submitted requests for an increase in the egg allocation price.
In a temporary workaround, schools have managed to reallocate funds saved from a decrease in banana prices to partially offset the higher egg costs. However, this is not a sustainable solution. The situation underscores a pressing need for a revised budget allocation to ensure that the vital nutritional benefits of the egg distribution program continue uninterrupted for thousands of students in Hubballi.
