Govt considering providing free meals in colleges as in schools; will give Rs 100 per hour to students engaged in farming

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government is considering extending the free lunch scheme to government colleges as in schools. Free lunch may be provided through college canteens to financially distressed students at government arts and science colleges. Prior to this, the management of the canteen has been handed over to Kudumbasree.

Students eligible for free meals will be identified on the basis of four criteria. Other students can have lunch at the rate fixed by Kudumbasree. A maximum of Rs 5 lakh per month will be allotted to a college for providing free food and subsidy.

The government has also decided to pay Rs 100 per hour to students engaged in farming on college campuses. The government has allotted Rs.10,000 each to government colleges for this.