Row in MP over eggs in Anganwadi meals

Madhya Pradesh women and child welfare minister Imarti Devi on Wednesday revived her demand for introduction of egg in diet of children in anganwadi centres to combat malnutrition menace in the state, causing a flutter in the ruling BJP here.

The minister had triggered a debate on the issue when she, as minister for women and child welfare in the previous Kamal Nath government, had initiated the move to add egg in diet of children in anganwadi centres in the state, inviting criticism from BJP then.

BJP has been opposing any such move arguing that any attempt to tamper with dietary habit of a particular section of people would lead to cultural conflict in the society.

“It is a conspiracy to change dietary habit of innocent children from vegetarian to non- vegetarian against tradition and faiths of their families. The move will trigger cultural conflict leading to social unrest in the state”, BJP spokesman Rajneesh Agrawal had then said.

Talking to reporters here, the minister said she was strongly in favour of adding egg in the diet of children in anganwadi centres as well as in midday meal served to school children, to tackle malnutrition among them.

“Egg is a very good source of nutrition”, she said. She however said the egg would not be imposed on anybody and it would be left to the children to opt for suitable replacement of egg in their diet if they wished.

Opposition Congress here took the opportunity to dare the Shivraj Singh Chouhan government to implement the proposal mooted by the minister.

“BJP was opposing the decision by the previous Kamal Nath government to introduce egg in the food menu in anganwadi centres. Now, a minister in the BJP government in the state wants to implement the proposal.