In the skewed minds of our politicians and authorities, development simply signifies towering buildings, bridges, and statues of party luminaries. However, vital many are omitted from these ‘developmental schemes', the pivotal one being the midday meal program in schools. No money is reaching the schools for the midday meal program these days. Headmasters are often forced to do egalitarian works paying their share of the salary to savor many small stomachs. The teachers association says, many such headmasters and teachers currently have more than a lakh in debt, only for helping the children eat meals from school.

The start will be grandeur when the government announces every such scheme. However, it takes some determination to keep intact the program running without any hindrance. The government proved inept there by asking the school authorities to look for themselves. Since it was something considering little children, the faculties and the headmasters in schools cared less about their salaries but decided to contribute a hefty sum to continuing this program. Even after learning about the kindred work from faculties, the government shrewdly fixated eyes on other schemes and programs in a way, deliberate enough to avoid the midday meal programs.

There are 12,2000 government-aided schools in Kerala. 30 lakhs and more students depend on the midday meal schemes at schools. Apart from the fund allotted during 2016-21 years, the government has carefully managed to avoid stepping into the midday meal mire again. Schools with an attendance of less than 150 students charge Rs 8 per head for the midday meal scheme. For schools having students up to 500, the charge will be Rs 7 per head. How can a government simply remain detached from the whole new world of changing economies? The government insists on daily eggs and milk to students for such rates; it is a far-fetched dream in today's time. Prices for domestic applicants including food are skyrocketing. It would be a straight laugh in the face if the government still insists on providing eggs and milk at these miser rates.

The officials in the run for a solution, reached the doorsteps of the CM and ministers, and that too countless times. The response was cold and the education minister asked the authorities to join hands together with the local self-government department to come out of the muddle. However, the government keeps high priority to increase the rate of building tax including construction but could have easily considered the wailing mouths of many such children in society.

Many children from financially struggling families reach these schools simply to savor their appetites. Many families live like this in the state. Not just children, many women chefs who make food for children were earning money to fight for a living. It is better late than never to act for the government.