DMK raises concern on breakfast provided by Akshaya Patra

"Why is Akshaya Patra a private organisation allowed to provide breakfast for students. The State Social Welfare Department should instead take over the responsibility of providing breakfast to the students," said former Social Welfare Minister and DMK MLA Geeta Jeevan.

Ever since Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami inaugurated the project of Akshaya Patra foundation providing breakfast to Corporation students, controversies surrounded the project as the foundation does not add onions and garlic in the food.

Opposition parties questioned the health factor in the food. Revenue Minister R B Udhayakumar replied that the organisation provides free food for students and the DMK members should not criticise the organization forthe free food.

Geeta Jeevan then asked if the state government would allow anyone to provide food for government school students and whether she could also give free food for children if she wishes to provide. She also raised concerns about the safety of children.

Minister for Tamil Official Languages and Tamil Culture K Pandiarajan replied that not just Akshaya Patra foundation but there are many other organisations like Sathya Sai Baba trust which is providing free breakfast to 16 schools in Erode and 15 schools in Avadi. He also said that if Geeta Jeevan wishes she can also provide free food for government schoolchildren.

Minister for Social Welfare V Saroja said that the organisation provides nutritious meal to children. DMK MLA from Anaicut constituency A P Nandakumar questioned the nutritious value of the food and asked how can there be nutrition without onionsand garlic.