Delhi's school lunch program faces scrutiny over nutrition and hygiene standards

A recent discovery of a dead lizard in a midday meal served at a government school in Hari Nagar, West Delhi, has put the city's school feeding programme back in the spotlight. The PM Poshan scheme guarantees primary children a meal with 20 g of pulses, 50 g of vegetables and 5 g of oil, delivering roughly 12 g of protein and 450 calories; upper-primary pupils receive higher amounts. While the rotating menu includes dishes such as rajma-rice and vegetable daliya, nutritionists argue that vegetable portions remain modest and that adding ingredients like eggs, soy or paneer could boost micronutrient intake.

Serving practices vary because meals are ladled into children’s personal containers, making exact portion control difficult despite official records. Financial pressures are evident, as the Akshaya Patra Foundation reports a gross cost of 17 rupees per plate, with the government covering just over half. Recent changes in West Bengal, where a vegetarian-only provider eliminated weekly eggs, have intensified the national conversation about balancing cultural preferences, budget limits and child health outcomes.