Guardians asked to collect mid-day meal supplies on behalf of students in West Bengal

Guardians of students, who are

eligible for mid-day meals but confined to their homes due to the lockdown, have been asked to collect rice and potatoes on behalf of their wards from April 20 across West Bengal, a school education department official said on Sunday.

The respective school authorities will inform the parents through WhatsApp or SMM about the exact date and time of the distribution which will continue till April 30, the official said.

It has to be ensured that students do not accompany the guardians during the distribution and parents do not come without wearing masks, he said.

Action will be taken if there is violation of the order.

"District inspectors in different zones will ask the school authorities to maintain social distancing, hygiene and other precautionary measures while distributing the materials," he said.

Each school has been asked to allot separate time, staggered over 10 days, to guardians of different classes so that there is no overcrowding,