The State cabinet today approved the Mid-Day meal scheme to the students of standard five to eight. Disclosing this at a press conference, Chief Minister Digambar Kamat said that the scheme which was now catering only to the primary level and would now cover middle school (from fifth to eighth standard). He said the scheme will have a financial implication of Rs 9 crore annually. Presently around 76,000 students are covered under the scheme and the new scheme will cover additional 86,782 students from government and government aided schools. "The government is also considering the scheme for the students of standard IXth and Xth from backward talukas,' he said adding "however that is only at planning stage and a final decision will be taken in near future.' Meanwhile, Chief minister said there were lots of complain that the tenders are being cornered by one contractor and sub lets to other self help groups and mahila mandals. "The government has decided to shortlist the self help groups and mahila mandals and give them the contract directly thereafter,' he said "there will be no monopoly of contractors from now.' "We have increased the budget per student from Rs 2.5 to Rs 5 as to give the students a better meal,' Kamat said.