The Mid Day Meal (MDM) program in schools and Anganwadis across the state is likely to be suspended on February 12 as the MDM and Anganwadi workers unions in Karnataka state extended support to the general strike called by the unions against the four labor codes introduced by the Union government.
S. Varalakshimi, general secretary of the Center of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), said around 1.19 million MDM workers and 1.60 million Anganwadi workers are working across the state and will participate in the strike.
Following this, the Ministry of School Education and Literacy has directed schools to take necessary fallback measures to avoid disruption. Project Director PM Poshan Shakti Nirman issued a memo to all district level Deputy Directors asking them to convince MDM employees not to participate in the protest. If it fails, schools are asked to make fallback arrangements. Praksh GT Nittali, Director, MDM PM Poshan, said that not all employees are expected to participate in the strike.
Meanwhile, the Women and Child Development Department said it was not aware of any Anganwadi workers participating in the strike. Even if they do, arrangements will be made to deliver food to the children’s homes, said Mahesh Babu N., Director, Directorate of Women and Child Development Department.
Published – 11 Feb 2026 20:23 IST