THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State government is planning to add fruit items also to the menu of free school meal for students. The project prepared for this has been sent to Public Education department. About 28 lakh students belonging to first to the eighth standard in government and aided schools will receive the benefit of the project.

With this, Kerala will become the only State to distribute milk and fruits along with midday meal.

The aim of the project is to give fruits worth Rs 10 to each student twice a week. Banana, guava, mango, papaya and gooseberry are being considered for this.

A decision in this regard will be taken soon.

Special care will be taken to give poison-free fruits (fruits treated with non-poisonous fertilisers and pesticides). Currently, curries made of vegetables and fruits are included in the menu. Besides this, milk and egg will be distributed twice in a week.

Public Education secretary A Shajahan informed that the aim of the project is to develop good health habits among students.