Dry ration delivery to resume if schools closed for a month
The Tamil Nadu government will resume the distribution of dry ration to students as part of its noon-meal scheme if classes 1 to 9 remain closed for more than a month due to the third wave for coronavirus.
Rice, black Bengal gram, green gram and eggs will be distributed to students of government and government-aided schools.
During the first and second lockdown, the government took the initiative to supply dry ration to improve the immunity of students.
A senior official from the School Education Department said, if classes remain closed for more than one month, dry rations will be supplied to the children either in the school or at their doorsteps, depending on the lockdown restrictions.
Stating that about 42 lakh students benefit from the noon-meal scheme, he said about 23,71 lakh studying in primary and 18,89 lakh studying in upper primary sections will get dry ration. As per the earlier proposal, each primary section student will get 3.1 kg rice and about one kg of dhal and other items. The official said, “Likewise, students in the upper primary section will get 4.6 kg rice and 1.25 kg dhal.
“Students will also get additional dhal in lieu of Bengal grams. Those who do not consume eggs will get bananas,” he said. Double fortified salt (with iron and iodine) will also be supplied. The official added that doorstep delivery of ration could be started any time as field staff are readily available. Stating that teachers of the government schools will monitor the distribution of dry rations, he said the government will also instruct authorities and district administrative officers to help the teaching staff.