Eggs to stay on lunch menu in Kolkata schools: WB CM

West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari. | Photo credit: PTI

Controversy over the alleged denial of eggs in mid-day meal to schoolchildren in Kolkata ended with West Bengal Chief Minister Suvenda Adhikari on Wednesday (July 29, 2026) saying that while the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) will provide protein-rich food to children (SHG mid-day meals through self-help groups will be provided separately).

“From August 1, as a pilot project, ISKCON will provide ‘satvik’ and protein-rich mid-day meals to children in large parts of Kolkata. Along with this, eggs will be provided to children through SHGs so that we can provide protein-rich meals to our future generations,” said Mr. Adhikari.

A few weeks ago, the Chief Minister announced that ISKCON would provide cooked meals to schools in Calcutta, raising concerns that eggs would be removed from midday meals in schools where ISKCON would supply cooked meals.

Members of opposition parties in West Bengal, including former chief minister Mamata Banerjee, have raised questions as to why school children are being deprived of eggs, which are a good source of protein.

The decision to entrust ISKCON with providing mid-day meals in Kolkata schools has also been criticized as an attempt by the BJP government in West Bengal to introduce vegetarianism.

The Chief Minister’s announcement at the State Secretariat on Wednesday ended all criticism and debate on the denial of eggs to school children in the state.

Mr. Adhikari added that the state government has increased the mid-day meal allowance from ₹6.78 to ₹10 per student per day. The Chief Minister also distributed grants to 80,375 government and government-aided schools under the Samagra Shiksha Mission. He added that all vacant teaching posts in schools will be filled and about 50,000 new teachers will be appointed.

Allegations of corruption in the recruitment of teachers and non-teaching staff in government schools became a major issue during the Trinamool Congress regime, and several government officials and Trinamool leaders were arrested in connection with the alleged money-for-work scam.

Published – 29 Jul 2026 22:01 IST