Soon the Karnataka government will give ragi malt, a millet-based drink to government school students in place of milk thrice a week, minister for school education and literacy Madhu Bangarappa said.

Making an official announcement in this regard, Bangarappa said that this will be integrated as part of the existing Ksheera Bhagya Scheme.

Currently, students in Karnataka are being provided a glass of milk for five days a week to support their nutritional needs. The same will now be reduced to two days a week and ragi malt will be introduced for three days.

Bangarappa said that the change has been aimed at drawing more children towards attending regular classes in government schools in addition to the mid-day meals.

It may be recollected that this academic year, the Congress government also extended eggs, bananas and chikkis for class 9 and 10 in all government schools.

“The reason we are introducing ragi malt is that we want more students to attend government schools. This is part of our other interventions that encourage children to join government schools such as providing them uniforms, shoes, and mid-day meals.”

Hijab

On being asked about the Hijab issue and the government’s stand on the issue in the wake of upcoming examinations, Bangarappa said that they would abide by the supreme court’s ruling. The SC had ruled that Hijab is not an essential religious practice in Islam.

Inputs from Indian Express