Kolkata, September 15 (Udaipur Kiran) : The West Bengal government has rescinded its approval for the Akshaya Patra Foundation to provide mid-day meals in four districts: North 24 Parganas, Howrah, Purulia, and East Midnapore. This decision was announced on September 15, 2026, and comes as a significant shift in the state’s school meal program.
The Akshaya Patra Foundation is part of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). Following the revocation, the state plans to revert to the previous system of preparing and serving mid-day meals within school premises. However, another branch of ISKCON, the Annamrit Foundation, will continue to supply meals in government schools under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.
The foundation had initially been tasked with providing mid-day meals after the BJP came to power in West Bengal. They began their operations in Kolkata, with plans to expand to other districts if the pilot was successful. Subsequently, Akshaya Patra was assigned the responsibility of serving meals in the four aforementioned districts. However, the government decided to withdraw its approval before the program could commence.
This sudden decision has not been accompanied by any explanation from government officials. The initial approval of ISKCON to serve mid-day meals had faced criticism from opposition parties and civil society, who argued that students would miss out on a protein-rich diet, such as eggs, due to the vegetarian meals provided. The controversy subsided when the Chief Minister announced that eggs would be included alongside the vegetarian meals, leading to increased budget allocations for the mid-day meal scheme.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.