The Chhattisgarh state assembly was again on the boil on the issue of serving eggs in state-run schools with eight BJP members trooping into the well amid verbal duals between Opposition and treasury benches, prompting Speaker Charandas Mahant adjourned the House for the day.
Through a call attention motion, Leader of the Opposition Dharamlal Kaushik, BJP members Brijmohan Agrawal, Shivratan Sharma, JCC (J) member Dharamjeet Singh and others raised the issue of distribution of eggs in anganwadi centres and in mid-day meal in schools.
They sought a clear cut policy or order from the government over the contentious issue.
With the treasury benches claiming that the BJP government had listed egg in the menu of anganbadi centres when it was in power. The BJP tried to defend itself saying it did not implement it.
Amid heated exchanges, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel intervened stating that school education minister Dr Premsai Singh Tekam would give a statement in the second half.
The minister in his statement said as per earlier amendment of the order, eggs would be separately cooked and served to school children. The view of parents association would be taken for distribution of the non-vegetarian food, he said. In case the association took an unanimous decision against the distribution of egg in the school then it would be delivered at home , the minister said.
He pointed out that in around 13 states, including in some BJP-ruled states, eggs were being served.
