Long wait for 2 more eggs on midday meal plates

The minister’s decision would mean taking the process away from Saraswati Vahinis, the women’s groups comprising mothers of students that co-ordinate the scheme’s implementation. The Vahinis are already providing one egg a day as part of the menu.

After consulting his officers, CM Soren decided to go with the Vahinis. A proposal to that effect is expected to be put up in the next cabinet meeting. “We are fully committed to giving the best option to the children and implementing the proposal as soon as possible. The proposal to continue with the Saraswati Vahinis will be placed before the cabinet,” said HRD Principal Secretary Aradhna Patnaik. Soren was reportedly told that centralising egg distribution would be a bad idea as it is a perishable commodity.

However, Minister Oraon is adamant. “The proposal before the cabinet will be one to have open tenders,” she said. She said the Vahinis will not be able to afford the cost of eggs.

“Recently, some journalists showed me a video clipping where children were shown to be given only half an egg each. This clearly means the Saraswati Vahinis are not able to cope with the cost of eggs. The government will provide only four rupees per egg. Where will they
find the rest of the money?” she asked.

In a letter to the Jharkhand chief secretary on Tuesday, N.C. Saxena and Harsh Mander, Supreme Court Commissioners in the Right to Food case, claimed there were vested interests at play. “….we are deeply concerned to hear from our advisor in Jharkhand, Mr. Balram, that an attempt is being made by private contractors to persuade the government to float a tender for centralized distribution of eggs throughout the state, instead of eggs being bought locally by the Saraswati Vahinis,” their letter said.

Notably, the Vahinis recently earned the praise of a Joint Review Mission under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. Also, the Supreme Court has banned private contractors from Integrated Child Development Services.