Schools and Dabbawalas to find a solution on ban imposed for tiffin services
Schools of South Mumbai have barred Dabbawalas from providing tiffin services to schools due to security reasons. But now Devendra Fadnavis, chief minister, and Vinod Tawde, state education minister, have directed the police and government authorities to facilitate dabbawala services to school kids.
The ban on dabbawalas was imposed as they serve as a threat to children, according to school authorities. Also, the food provided affects the health of students, claimed officials of South Mumbai schools. A principal of a school said, "We have canteen services within the school where we serve healthy and hygienic food. Also, our school hours are over by afternoon so that students can return home for lunch time. So they do not have to depend on dabbawalas for food."
While, members of the dabbawala community claimed their aim is to provide healthy home cooked meals to children. A member said, "We are an old association known for providing a complete home cooked meal. Students can stay healthy by eating these meals instead of eating some junk food from the canteen. Schools can check us when we enter their premises if they think we are a threat to children."
Considering the concerns raised by both schools and the dabbawala association, Fadnavis has directed the police commissioner to convene a joint meeting and find a solution. Tawde has instructed the education department to ask the concerned schools to permit the entry of dabbawalas.