Punjab govt schools ordered to use powdered milk in mid-day meal

Ludhiana, October 8: The Punjab education department has directed all government schools to use powdered milk (dry milk) to prepare kheer, which is served once a week as part of the mid-day meal menu to children. The powdered milk will be supplied to schools by government-run cooperative MILKFED (which runs VERKA milk plants across the state.

As per the notification issued, schools are required to use seven grams of milk powder per child for making kheer. The milk powder will cost Rs 273 per kilogram; this amount will be paid to MILKFED from the ration amount they are granted for mid-day meals. Besides increasing the sale of milk powder, sources said, this step by the government has been taken to ensure children consume kheer prepared from “quality-tested” milk as earlier, schools purchased milk from local dairies and other shops which do not undergo a quality check.

Also, with adulterated milk widely being sold across Punjab, one needs to ensure children are not made to consume the same.

The order, however, clarifies that MILKFED will supply 10-kg powder milk cans to schools with 150 children or above. In other words, government schools with less than 150 children (mostly primary and in far-flung villages) will have to arrange the item on their own.

Welcoming the government’s decision, Amarjit Singh, a government school teacher from Mansa said, “Some schools are already using powder milk as it is easier to handle and store. Also, it tastes better and children prefer powdered milk in the food they consume.”

Another teacher from Ludhiana, Dharamjit Singh said, “There is not going to much of a cost difference as a kilogram of powdered milk can be used by several students when compared to liquid milk. Also, it is easier to store powdered milk.”

Punjab State Education (elementary) Director Inderjit Singh, “We have taken this decision as MILKFED agreed to supply powdered milk to our schools. The quality of milk had become a cause of worry as adulterated milk is openly sold in the market. The powdered milk by MILKFED passes through several checks.”

Singh added, “The only concern might be cases of theft. Some people can try and steal to take the milk powder home. We need to look for a solution for this soon.”

Source Indian Express

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