Patna: The Bihar government has directed officials to ensure that mid-day meals for around 1.3 crore children studying in government schools across the state continue without interruption under any circumstances.
The Directorate of Mid-Day Meals issued fresh instructions to district authorities, emphasising that the daily lunch programme must run regularly in all schools. In a letter sent to district programme officers, the director of the department, Vinayak Mishra, asked officials to make proper arrangements to guarantee the timely preparation and distribution of meals, warning against any negligence in food services.
Under the guidelines, meals in primary schools must be cooked exclusively using liquefied petroleum gas (LPG). The department has also held discussions with major oil companies to ensure that gas cylinders are supplied to schools on a priority basis so that cooking can continue in a hygienic and safe environment.
Officials said the matter had been taken up with Bharat Petroleum, Hindustan Petroleum and Indian Oil Corporation Limited, which have assured the state government that LPG supply to schools will remain uninterrupted. Indian Oil has reportedly committed to prioritising gas cylinder deliveries for schools across the state.
According to the directorate, oil companies have confirmed that there is no shortage of LPG stock in Bihar. As a result, the supply of cylinders to schools in all 38 districts will continue as normal, ensuring that the Mid-Day Meal Scheme is not affected.
However, authorities have also maintained an emergency provision allowing schools to cook meals using firewood if gas supply is temporarily unavailable. Officials clarified that this is an existing contingency measure and not a new directive.
The state government said the Mid-Day Meal Scheme remains a key programme linked to children’s nutrition and school attendance. District officials have therefore been instructed to closely monitor its implementation and ensure that meals reach students regularly and on time.
