Gas shortage halts mid-day meals in Bengal schools, children given biscuits and cake

A severe LPG shortage linked to the ongoing conflict in the Gulf region has begun affecting government school kitchens in West Bengal, disrupting the Mid-Day Meal Scheme that provides hot meals to millions of students. In several schools, including those in Kolkata, the preparation of cooked meals has reportedly come to a halt due to the unavailability of cooking gas.

With kitchens unable to function, children who usually receive rice, lentils and vegetables under the scheme are now being given packets of biscuits and cake instead. The disruption has raised concerns among parents and school authorities, particularly because many students from economically weaker families rely heavily on the nutritious meal served at school.

Officials at Arya Vikas Vidyalaya said that the situation has become extremely difficult as existing LPG stock has been exhausted and fresh cylinders are not available in the market. Without cooking gas, school kitchens have been forced to remain closed, leaving authorities with no option but to provide packaged food items temporarily.

Reports indicate that the problem is not limited to a single institution but is affecting several government schools across the state. Parents and school authorities have urged the administration to ensure immediate arrangements for LPG supply or alternative fuel so that the Mid-Day Meal Scheme can resume and children do not remain deprived of their daily meals.