Amid vegan diet imposition debate, West Bengal govt says eggs stay on school meal menu

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Wednesday announced that the state government would continue providing eggs to students under the mid-day meal scheme, even as ISKCON takes charge of cooking and supplying meals in government and government-aided schools in Kolkata under a pilot project from August 1.

The announcement, made at a School Composite Grant distribution programme at the state secretariat Nabanna, seeks to end speculation over the future of eggs in school meals. The controversy had gathered pace after opposition parties alleged that the BJP-led state government was attempting to impose vegetarian diets on students.

The state government also announced financial assistance of more than Rs 296 crore for 80,375 government-run schools during the event.

“While ISKCON will provide pure, satvik and protein-rich meals to students, we are making arrangements to additionally provide eggs to students, keeping in mind their need for a wholesome protein diet, through our Self Help Groups (SHGs),” Adhikari said.

He clarified that eggs would be distributed separately once or twice a week. The government has also increased the allocation for primary school meals to Rs 10 per student from Rs 6.78, removing the funding gap that previously existed between primary and higher classes.

Concerns over vegetarian meals

The issue came into focus during the presentation of the 2026-27 state budget after reports suggested ISKCON would be entrusted with the school meal programme.

Sections of the education community raised concerns that the move could gradually encourage vegetarian-only meals and permanently remove eggs from the menu. Earlier this month, a public interest litigation was filed before the Calcutta High Court, prompting the court to seek an affidavit from the state government.

The debate intensified after School Education Minister Dipak Barman publicly backed vegetarian food.

“There are many people in society and in this country and across the world who are completely vegetarian and have lived healthy lives. Vegetarian food also contains sufficient nutritional value, and those who eat vegetarian food receive all the nutrients necessary for building their bodies. Therefore, there is no compulsion or requirement that children must eat eggs for nutrition,” Barman had said.

TMC MP Derek O'Brien had also criticised the reported move on social media, alleging that the government was attempting to remove eggs from school meals and impose vegetarianism.

Wednesday's announcement, made on Guru Purnima, effectively addressed those concerns and reassured many parents who had demanded that eggs remain part of students' nutrition.

School grants and recruitment drive

Adhikari said the Centre contributes 60 per cent of the School Composite Grant, while the remaining 40 per cent is funded by the state government.

He also announced that transparency would be the guiding principle for future recruitment in the education sector, saying political leaders would no longer have any role in appointments.

According to the chief minister, 50,000 teachers and education staff will be recruited during the current academic year.

“The posts of teachers, educational staff, head teachers, physical education teachers, and librarians are all vacant. There has been a lot of corruption in recruitment. We have moved away from that situation and stopped political appointments in the School Service Commission. No political person will be involved in any recruitment process in the future,” he said.

He added that the recruitment process would be completed in line with Supreme Court directives. Around 6,000 pending interviews would also be completed.

“As announced in the budget, the state will proceed with the recruitment of 12,000 teachers and support staff, followed by at least another 38,000 appointments, taking the total to 50,000 teachers and staff during the current academic year,” Adhikari said.