The Uttar Pradesh government’s newly approved ‘One District One Cuisine’ (ODOC) scheme has sparked debate after several iconic non-vegetarian dishes were left out of the official culinary branding list. The initiative, modelled on the state’s ‘One District One Product’ programme, aims to assign signature food items to each district and promote them through branding, packaging, exhibitions, and digital outreach. However, critics have questioned the exclusion of many of the state’s globally recognised meat-based dishes, particularly from regions known for rich Awadhi and Mughlai culinary traditions.

Under the scheme, districts have been assigned signature vegetarian foods and sweets such as Lucknow’s rewadi and malai makhan, Agra’s petha, Mathura’s peda, Meerut’s gajak, Varanasi’s thandai and Banarasi paan, and Ayodhya’s chandrakala and balushahi. Officials said the programme also includes training, financial support, and marketing assistance for local artisans, confectioners, and food entrepreneurs.

The government has allocated ₹150 crore for the initiative, with eligible participants able to receive subsidies of up to 25 percent, capped at ₹20 lakh. The programme was first announced by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and later formally launched by Union Home Minister Amit Shah earlier this year.

The omission of dishes such as Lucknow’s galawati kebab, Awadhi biryani, nihari, Rampur’s mutton korma, and Bareilly’s meat specialties has triggered criticism from food historians and culinary experts.

Food historian Pushpesh Pant described the exercise as “half-baked” and accused the scheme of selective representation of Uttar Pradesh’s diverse food culture. He argued that cuisine cannot be confined by administrative boundaries and said the absence of iconic non-vegetarian dishes weakens the authenticity of the initiative. Others, however, defended the programme, saying it was designed to promote specific local products rather than create a comprehensive list of all culinary traditions.

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State officials denied allegations of discrimination, insisting that the scheme does not restrict food choices or ban non-vegetarian cuisine. MSME Minister JPS Rathore said the government was simply promoting dishes it believed best represented individual districts. Some chefs also supported the initiative, noting that Uttar Pradesh’s vegetarian cuisine and sweets have long been overshadowed by the fame of Awadhi meat dishes. Supporters of the scheme argue that ODOC could create new economic opportunities for small food businesses and artisans while strengthening the state’s cultural branding and tourism appeal.

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