03 September,2026 07:43 AM IST | Mumbai | Aditi Alurkar
The group protest at the education inspector’s office at Jogeshwari. PICS/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
While the Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is looking to tighten the reins on school nutrition, principals are anticipating another major task coming their way in addition to all their existing responsibilities. In Mumbai, several educators from Shikshak Sena - a Shiv Sena (UBT)-backed union - gathered in protest at the education inspector's office in Jogeshwari.
The group has asked for a second look at the new regulations that may be imposed by state FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, regarding additional responsibilities and licences that the move would bring. mid-day reached out to FDA officials in Mumbai but received no response till press time.
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Hitendra Chaudhari, district president, of Shikshak Sena, said, "This will be especially difficult for Zilla Parishad schools that are not already supported by NGOs for midday meal schemes. Moreover, foodgrains are distributed by the government, and it will be wrong to solely thrust the responsibility on the principals who already have their hands full."
The Shikshak Sena also wrote to Munde last week stating these issues. "The principals are burdened with several academic and administrative responsibilities. The rural principals will be the ones facing the brunt, which is why we held this peaceful protest statewide with MLC JM Abhyankar leading Mumbai," Chaudhari added.
According to the Shikshak Sena members, the commissioner's media comments state that the principals may have to register for a Food Business Operator (FBO) licence in the school's name and be legally liable to look after school nutrition. Currently, schools across the state also follow the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) prescribed by the Maharashtra Education Department.
Instead of asking principals to obtain licences, the Shikshak Sena has urged the state government to hand over midday meal operations to trusted temple organisations in and outside the state, while laying focus on implementing a tender system across districts or talukas. The group suggests to entrusting these tasks to a School Management Committee where the above options are not available.
Meanwhile, the state education department has reiterated the ban on sale of HFSS (High Fat, Sugar, Salt) food within 50 metres of the school premises, with boards regarding the same erected. The state has also asked for parents to be called to taste the midday meal food provided, with all taste records being maintained in a register. The school management committee and the principal are to be responsible for checking the quality of food too.
