Chandigarh, July 31 - Punjabis and rich food are not an unusual combination. But the Punjab government has asked the centre to spare more funds for food so that children in government schools across the state can get a better 'mid-day meal'.

'Punjabis are well known all over for their healthy diet and eating lifestyle, but there is dire need to provide more nutritious food enriched with proteins to the growing children of Punjab under the mid-day-meal scheme,' Punjab's Education Minister Upinderjit Kaur said Friday.

Kaur asked the central government to immediately enhance its share of cooking cost norms under the mid-day-meal scheme from 75 percent to 80 percent of its existing contribution.

Punjab wants the contribution to be raised from Rs.1.58 to Rs.2.33 per day per child for primary classes and Rs.2.10 to Rs.3.85 per day per child for upper primary classes so that a more balanced and nutritious diet can be provided.

'With the present allocation of central assistance, Punjab, with its share of 25 percent or Rs.