West Bengal to open schools during 'Janata Curfew' to distribute mid-day meals

West Bengal government on Saturday asked all state-run schools, that are shut till April 15 in view of coronavirus outbreak, to open institutes on Sunday to facilitate quick distribution of mid-day meals to children, officials said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for a 'Janata Curfew' on Sunday.

A circular issued by District Inspector of Schools, Kolkata said that since rice and potato - 2 kg for each student for a month will be distributed from schools from Monday onwards, "all heads of schools are requested to keep institutes open on Saturday and Sunday". circular was sent to all junior, high and higher secondary schools under Kolkata district. A school education department official said similar circulars were sent to schools in or districts.

"We want to ensure that students are t deprived of mid-day meals even when classes are suspended," he said.

official said that students won't have to come to schools and mid-day meals will be handed over to ir guardians. Meanwhile, taking a dig at TMC government, BJP MP Swapan Dasgupta said,

"To undermine Sunday's Janata Curfew, W Bengal government has deemed rice & potatoes will be distributed at schools tomorrow. This means re will be crowds at schools. exercise, which could have been done Monday is aimed at subverting social distancing. This is vindictive politics."

ruling Trinamool Congress, however, denied re was any political motive behind move.

"Our CM Mamata Banerjee has given a call to unitedly fight coronavirus outbreak. This circular is purely an administrative decision with regard to quick distribution of essential commodities for children. It should t be politicised," a senior TMC leader said.