Politics Over Midday Meal in Maharashtra: Questions are being raised about the Maharashtra government for providing more sugar in the mid-day meal. Pediatricians have also expressed concern about the health of children.

The letter cites the government's general guidelines to serve rice pudding to children four times a week under the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana, formerly known as Mid Day Meal. The letter reads, "The general guidelines state that 25 grams of sugar will be added to the meals of students of classes 1 to 5 and 45 grams of sugar will be added to the meals of students of classes 6 to 8." 

Appeal to reduce sweet things

Maharashtra Pediatrics Association president Dr Ramgopal Chejara told PTI, "We need 25 grams of sugar every day. There are two types of sugar. One is added sugar and the other is naturally present in food items. Students keep eating other foods throughout the day, which increases their sugar intake." 

Dr. Ramgopal said, "Adding 25 grams and 45 grams of sugar to these meals can make children prone to diabetes and obesity. Our teams have visited schools. We have appealed to the government to stop providing such sweet foods." 

The opposition made a scathing attack on the government

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve also criticized the state government over these government guidelines. He said in a post on the social media platform 'X' that the state government thinks that the future generation is a factory to digest extra sugar. Leader of Opposition in the Legislative Council Danve said that the central government is banning 'ethanol' production, while on the other hand school children are being given extra sugar.