A division bench of the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday, 8 July directed the West Bengal government to submit a detailed affidavit within four weeks on the status of its proposal to hand over midday meal responsibilities in Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC)-area state-run schools to the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON). The directive came as a public interest litigation (PIL) challenging the proposal came up for hearing before Acting Chief Justice Tapabrata Chakraborty and Justice Partha Sarathi Chatterjee.

What the Court Heard

When the bench enquired about the current status of the proposal, West Bengal Advocate General Surajit Nath Mitra informed the court that the matter remained at the proposal stage and that no formal government notification had been issued to date. Following this, the bench directed the state to file its affidavit within four weeks, after which the petitioner will have two weeks to file a counter affidavit.

Notably, the bench also observed that the PIL appeared premature, given that no formal notification had yet been issued. It indicated that the petitioner could approach the court afresh once a formal notification was issued.

Key Concerns Raised in the PIL

The petition raises two substantive objections to the proposed arrangement. First, it argues that entrusting ISKCON — a Vaishnava religious organisation — with midday meal preparation would result in the exclusion of eggs from school menus, depriving students of a critical source of dietary protein. Second, it contends that a large number of women currently employed as midday meal cooks in West Bengal's state-run schools could lose their livelihoods if the responsibility is transferred to ISKCON.

Both concerns touch on issues of nutritional policy and labour rights that have wider implications for school welfare programmes across the state.

How the Proposal Originated

The proposal to involve ISKCON in the midday meal scheme was announced by West Bengal Finance Minister Swapan Dasgupta during the presentation of the state Budget for financial year 2025-26 on the floor of the West Bengal Assembly. The announcement drew immediate attention given ISKCON's vegetarian food practices and its existing large-scale food distribution operations across India.

What Happens Next

The matter will return before the Calcutta High Court division bench after the state government files its affidavit. The court's observations suggest that a formal legal challenge to the proposal may only be maintainable once the state issues a notification — meaning the PIL's full hearing could hinge on whether and when the government formalises its intent. The outcome will have direct bearing on the nutrition standards and employment conditions of school meal workers across the KMC area.