Odisha colleges told to cut cooking oil use in canteens

The Odisha government has asked principals of all government-run and aided colleges to cut cooking oil consumption in campus canteens and avoid high-oil breakfast items such as puris, vadas and bondas. Higher Education Department Deputy Secretary Ramesh Chandra Behera issued the directive on Friday, citing global supply-chain disruptions and geopolitical conflicts impacting food, fertiliser and fuel supplies since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Behera wrote that the conflicts in Ukraine and Iran had added to supply-side pressures. He noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made a public appeal to citizens to contribute towards addressing the challenges. The department also asked college hostels and canteens to promote traditional oils like ghee, mustard oil and groundnut oil over imported palm, sunflower and soyabean oil.

The directive extends beyond campuses: National Service Scheme and Youth Red Cross volunteers will organise community awareness programmes to encourage households to reduce cooking oil use in everyday meals.