Date:02/09/2005 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2005/09/02/stories/2005090200811900.htm

Back NECC welcomes Maharashtra's move to include eggs in school meals scheme

Our Bureau

Pune , Sept. 1

THE National Egg Co-ordination Committee (NECC) has welcomed the decision of the Maharashtra Government to include eggs in the school mid-day meals scheme from September.

It has also stated that the inclusion of eggs in the scheme would help in improving the nutrition level among the children.

NECC has however stated that certain groups had requested the State Government to not to include the eggs in the scheme, as it is a non-vegetarian product.Clarifying its stand, NECC has stated that eggs would be given only to those children who were willing to eat it.

It noted that if there were objection against eggs, the child would be given the option of a substitute such as banana or other items of their choice. This practice is being followed in Tamil Nadu, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh and it could be implemented in Maharashtra also, it pointed out.

It noted that egg had the richest source of protein and contained all the essential amino acids, minerals and all vitamins except Vitamin C. It is easily digestible and the biological value of egg is 96 per cent, the highest among all food items.

With a 100-point rating, even the World Health Organisation, considers egg as the best protein food for human beings. NECC has said that the success of this programme has been proved in other States such as Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab.

NECC has said that in Tamil Nadu, eggs provided under the mid-day meal programme are stamped with a different colour every week so as to ensure that stale eggs were not carried over from the previous week.

It added that the Government of Andhra Pradesh is also considering increasing the supply from one egg to two per week.