Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has asked all bureaucrats, ministers, secretaries, and officers overseeing the welfare of students in hostels and schools managed by the Social Justice Department, to personally taste the food served to the children. Addressing the review meeting of the social justice department on Tuesday in Mumbai, Shinde emphasised the importance of ensuring high-quality food and instructed officials to take direct responsibility for assessing the meals provided at these facilities.

“There should be no compromise in the quality of the food served to students. I instruct that all secretaries, and officers personally taste the food served at these hostels and schools,” Shinde stated during a review meeting of the department's initiatives. Besides these instructions, Shinde even asked officials and ministers to conduct surprise visits to ensure good quality of food, cleanliness and ensure the facilities meet the necessary standards, especially student safety and hygiene of their living conditions.