On Tuesday, March 21, Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy launched a new scheme providing ragi malt to students in government and aided schools across Andhra Pradesh. The ragi malt will be served as part of the mid-day meal scheme three days a week and will contain vitamin and mineral supplements. This nutritious drink has been included in the morning menu to ensure students maintain good health. The scheme will cost the exchequer up to Rs 86 crore a year, with Sri Satya Sai Central Trust bearing Rs 42 crore of this annual cost. Ragi malt will be provided to tens of lakhs of students in 44,392 schools across the state. The drink has been added to the menu in case there is a shortage of peanut chikkis which are also provided three days a week. The mid-day meal scheme provides 15 varieties of food to develop a balanced diet for students. The scheme is part of the government’s efforts to improve the educational standards and academic environment in schools.
