Bengal govt hikes daily cooked diet allocation for hospital patients to Rs 110

Kolkata, Jul 14 (PTI) The West Bengal government has nearly doubled the daily allocation for cooked diet provided to patients at government health facilities, raising it from Rs 56.64 to Rs 110 per admitted person per day with effect from August 1, officials said. The Health and Family Welfare Department, in a notification, said the revised rate was approved following a review by a committee constituted in compliance with a Calcutta High Court order. The panel reviewed the existing rate in June, taking into account the prevailing market prices of food items, it said. The enhanced rate for the "full rice diet" would be applicable to indoor patients in government health facilities from August 1, subject to existing rules, the notification said. In social media post, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said the government had taken a "landmark and people-centric" step to improve the quality and nutritional value of meals served in government hospitals and schools. "In the health sector, the daily diet cost for patients undergoing treatment at government health facilities has been increased from Rs 56.64 to Rs 110. From August 1, 2026, patients admitted to government hospitals will receive better quality, balanced meals," Adhikari said. Adhikari on Monday also announced that the per-student allocation under the primary school midday meal scheme would be increased to Rs 10 from the existing Rs 6.78 from August 1. He said ensuring better healthcare and public services for ordinary people were the government's priority. "Our government's primary objective is to stand by the common and marginalised people and ensure better quality facilities and services. Protecting the health and nutrition of every citizen of the state is our priority," the CM said. Adhikari said maintaining the quality of food supplied through government services had become increasingly difficult because of rising prices of essential commodities. "The diet rate was last revised in 2017. Ending a wait of nearly nine years, our government has decided to take a positive step on the issue within just two months of assuming office," he said. PTI SCH RBT ACD