Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has found a powerful supporter in his decision against eggs. Women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi  has come out in support of Chauhan, who had recently turned down the proposal of including egg curry or boiled eggs in the anganwadi meals.

On the sideline of launching the khoyapaya.gov.in webportal for tracking the missing children Maneka said, “what Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister has decided is correct as there will be a lot of health issues if eggs are included.”

“By the time eggs are served to the children in anganwadi will become stale as there is no proper system of cold-storage for eggs. If eggs become stale they will carry a lot of bacteria which can harm the users,” she said.

A strict vegetarian, Chauhan decided  against eggs to be give to anganwadi children in the tribal areas of Alirajpur, Mandla and Hoshangabad districts.

While many activists raised concerns over malnutrition issues in tribal areas and said that the eggs in meals could be healthy diet for children as they are rich in protein. Maneka Gandhi was in agreement with Chauhan and said, “there are plenty of other substitutes for protein besides eggs. They can be served freshly cooked dal or any other protein product.”

The proposal was drafted after a meeting called by the WCD department last month to sketch a plan to serve nutritious diet to children at anganwadis under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). The proposal was especially for children between 3-6 years of age. 

“Milk and bananas will be served but never eggs,” Chauhan had said and SK Mishra, principal secretary to the chief minister had made a statement that “It has been a sentimental issue with the chief minister from day one. Moreover, there are better, more nutritious options available”.