Chicken twice a month; egg and banana thrice a week; coffee, tea and snacks every day... these are part of the new menu approved by the state government for students staying in backward classes hostels in the state.

Social Welfare Minister H Anjaneya on Friday obtained Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s approval to introduce new, nutritious menu to the students. The chief minister, who reviewed the implementation of schemes meant for backward classes, also approved hiring 4,017 assistant cooks for these hostels.

Besides, Siddaramaiah directed officials to initiate steps to fill backlog posts reserved for backward classes in all departments, public sector undertakings and universities.

The Vidya Siri scheme will be extended to hostels meant for students belonging to Category 1, 2(A). The scheme envisages addressing boarding and lodging problems of backward classes students, according to an official release.

The chief minister said Rs 5 lakh will be released as one-time maintenance grant to all backward classes’ hostels run by non-government organisations in the state.