The Assam government has announced that 40 lakh students across the state won't go hungry and will be provided mid-day meals at home during the 21-day nationwide lockdown against the novel coronavirus.
All the students below 14 years of age will get the benefit of mid-day meals.
Chief Secretary of Assam Kumar Sanjay Krishna said, ¡°We have ensured that the students do not go to sleep hungry and for that, the state government has decided to provide mid-day meals to students at home.¡±
The secretary further added that midday meals have already been arranged to be provided at home till March 31. The same will now be extended till the lockdown period.
"The schools have been provided with ration for the same and we have ensured that students do not go to sleep hungry, " he added.
Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said the state government is taking all trhe necessary steps to ensure the availability of essential goods and emergency services to the people in the state, during the 21 day lockdown.
He added that there is no need to panic as the commodities will be available all the days.
Sonowal directed the Food and Civil Supply department to strengthen the supply chain to ensure smooth delivery of essential commodities during the lockdown period.
Earlier, Kerala started the distribution of mid day meals to children at home, given that schools have been shut down due to the pandemic.
Typically, the supplies to homes consist of rice, pulses, vegetables, eggs, bananas and the biweekly 150ml of milk. A plan to include fruits is also underway.