From tomorrow, kheer and pinni to sweeten mid-day meal for schoolkids

Students of government schools across the state will soon relish instant kheer and pinni once a week under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. The state government has approved the addition of these traditional sweets to enhance the nutritional intake of children from Bal Vatikas to Class VIII.

According to a communiqué issued by the Directorate of Elementary Education to all District Elementary Education Officers (DEEOs), the new menu will take effect from November 1 and continue until March 31 next year. The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Haryana Agro Industries Corporation Limited (HAICL).

Currently, more than 15 lakh students enrolled in government schools — from Bal Vatikas to upper-primary classes — are covered under the mid-day meal programme.

The communiqué notes that pinni has already been served in Nuh and Bhiwani districts since September 1 for a 90-day pilot period. After completion, the respective DEEOs will send their further requirements to the Managing Director, HAICL.

“Instant kheer and pinni will be served once a week on regular school days to ensure adequate nutrition. Pinni will be distributed on the day when students receive iron-folic acid tablets. The initiative aligns with the Government of India’s guidelines for improving the nutritional quality of mid-day meals,” said an official of the Education Department.

The Directorate has directed DEEOs to coordinate closely with HAICL to ensure timely distribution and strict adherence to hygiene and food-quality norms during preparation and supply.

“The Mid-Day Meal Scheme goes beyond merely serving food. It is a key initiative aimed at achieving universal primary education by boosting enrolment, attendance and retention, while improving children’s nutrition,” the official added.

Implementation at district level

Diljit Singh, DEEO, Rohtak, confirmed the new instructions and said all Block Education Officers (BEOs) in the district had been asked to make the necessary arrangements.

“Around 36,000 schoolchildren are enrolled under the mid-day meal scheme in Rohtak district,” he added.

Ali Ahmad, Programme Executive for the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in Rewari, said the programme currently includes 17 recipes, with meals prepared daily according to a fixed menu.

“As per the new directives, sweets such as protein milk bar chocolates and milk powder will be served twice a week, while the remaining two days will feature one serving of instant kheer and one of pinni for the students,” he said.