Bhubaneswar. (Reporterspen) March 27: In a major nutritional boost for schoolchildren, students of government and aided schools in Odisha will receive eggs and nutrient-rich laddoos thrice a week starting April 1, coinciding with Utkala Dibasa. The initiative aims to improve the dietary intake of students and enhance their overall health.
The School & Mass Education Department, in a letter to the state nodal officer of the PM POSHAN Programme, announced that an additional egg will be provided to students from Classes 1 to 10 every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The inclusion of this extra protein source, along with other supplements, will cost the state ₹372.80 crore annually.
Additionally, laddoos made from groundnut, sesame, millet, and jaggery—rich in fibre, iron, and healthy fats—will be distributed every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday during morning assembly. Each laddoo will cost ₹3.50.
The state government has also decided to extend cooked midday meals to 8 lakh students of Classes 9 and 10 starting FY 2025-26, with an annual financial allocation of ₹570.71 crore. The move is expected to boost student enrolment, attendance, and retention rates in secondary schools.
