Telangana Switches to Steam Rice in Schools, Ending Complaints Over Midday Meals
From March 1, Telangana government schools, welfare hostels, and anganwadi centres will serve steam rice, aiming to improve taste, texture, and overall quality of midday meals for students.
- Steam rice replaces regular rice in midday meals.
- Change targets better taste and nutrition for students.
- About 35 lakh children to benefit statewide.
For years, the midday meal programme in Telangana has played a crucial role in reducing hunger and helping children focus on their studies. However, one persistent issue has often drawn complaints from students and parents alike. Freshly milled rice used in school kitchens tended to turn sticky after cooking, making meals unappealing for children.
The problem largely stemmed from the high moisture content in newly harvested rice. Unlike aged rice, fresh grain does not dry easily and often clumps together when cooked. Storing rice for long periods to reduce moisture is not practical at a large scale, leaving schools struggling with the same concern season after season.
To address this, the Revanth Reddy government has decided on a statewide shift to steam rice. Starting March 1, steam rice will be supplied to all government schools, welfare hostels, and anganwadi centres. The Civil Supplies Department has already issued clear instructions to district officials to implement the change without delay.
Steam rice is processed by treating paddy with steam before milling. This method strengthens the grain, reduces breakage, and improves cooking quality. Once cooked, the rice remains fluffy instead of turning sticky, offering a better eating experience for children.
Nearly 25 lakh students in government schools and more than 10 lakh children in welfare hostels depend on the midday meal programme every day. With the introduction of steam rice, the government aims not only to fill empty stomachs but also to ensure meals are enjoyable and nutritious.
Officials believe this move will significantly improve student satisfaction with school meals. For thousands of children across Telangana, lunchtime is set to become more appealing, marking a clear goodbye to sticky rice and a welcome step toward better quality food in classrooms.
