Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has increased the prices of midday meals for school students.
As per the revised rates, students in classes 1 to 5 will receive meals at Rs 7.64, up from Rs 5.90. For students in classes 6 to 8, the meal cost has been increased to Rs 10.94 from Rs 8.82.
The School and Mass Education Department has issued a directive to all district collectors to implement the new rates from December 1.
The hike is part of the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Yojana, a central government scheme aimed at providing nutritious meals to school-going children.
The decision was taken in the wake of rising prices of vegetables and essential commodities. Earlier in August, School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond had announced that the cost per meal will increase by Rs 1.
