ISKCON to Take Over PM POSHAN Midday Meals in Kolkata, Likely to Drop Eggs from Menu in State-Run Schools
Times of India | 24 June 2026
Kolkata: Most state-run schools in Kolkata may stop serving eggs to students after ISKCON takes charge of the midday meal programme under PM POSHAN
ISKCON is gearing up to cook and serve midday meals to around 1 lakh students up to Class VIII across more than 1,800 primary and upper primary schools in Kolkata, following the Bengal govt's budget announcement on Monday that the religious organisation would implement the scheme in the city.
ISKCON vice-president and spokesperson Radharamn Das told TOI that the new menu would be nutritious but would exclude eggs.
"There is a common misconception that eggs are the only rich source of protein and lack a vegetarian equivalent. Soya chunks, rajma, paneer, beans, dal and pulses offer an equivalent amount of plant-based protein. We have empanelled dietitians to curate our menus. We will ensure that whatever nutrients a child gets from eggs will be matched or exceeded by the superior quality protein and vitamins in our meals," said Das.
"Through our Annamitra Foundation, we have been serving midday meals pan-India since 2004, operating in more than eight states and 22 cities. Our midday meal programme is highly appreciated all over India."
CM Suvendu Adhikari on Monday stressed delivering high-quality food through the new arrangement.
Bengal school education minister Dipak Burman echoed what Das said. "There are many people in our society — and hundreds of millions across the globe — who lead completely healthy lives on a lifelong vegetarian diet. Vegetarian meals possess sufficient nutritional value, providing all the essential nutrients required for physical growth and development. There is no logic behind the idea that children must consume eggs, especially to fulfil their nutritional needs."
Sources said ISKCON submitted a proposal to the chief minister's office on serving midday meals after BJP was elected to office in the state. The proposal was accepted because of the organisation's track record.
Preparing healthy food under strict hygienic conditions has been a major point of concern in Kolkata for years. Instances of students being served substandard food frequently came to light, sparking widespread public outcry. Space constraints in many Kolkata schools prompted the previous govt to set up a number of community kitchens, from where midday meals are still being served.
These kitchens, run by self-help groups (SHGs), now face an uncertain future. Currently, they serve a varied menu, which includes eggs once a week. Indranil Mukherjee, a spokesperson for a self-help group that supplies meals to 65 schools in the city, expressed concern, saying, "Several people associated with us will lose their livelihoods if our kitchens stop functioning. We will continue with the project until we receive an official order to halt operations."
Several school heads said that if students are given a high-quality menu, the transition should not pose a problem as eggs are now served only once a week.
ISKCON's Das said a world-class, fully automated central kitchen will be established in Kolkata to prepare hygienic food on a massive scale, ensuring that hot, freshly cooked meals reach schools in time for the lunch break. Preliminary talks have been held with the school education department, and ISKCON is searching for a suitable plot for the kitchen, he said. The preparations would take about a month.
"The actual cost of preparing food will be much higher than the funding the govt provides. However, we have a reliable pool of donors ready to support our activities. Because we cook food as an offering to the Lord, we ensure that only the best ingredients are used," he said.
The state budget presented on Monday proposed that the allocation for the midday meal be increased from Rs 6.78 to Rs 10 per head at the primary level. At the upper primary level, it remains unchanged at Rs 10.20.