Answer: C. Dalit women

Explanation:
The Mid-day Meal Scheme is a school meal program in India that aims to improve the nutritional status of school-going children. The program has a strong focus on social inclusion and promoting gender equality. In this context, the following reasons explain the employment of Dalit women to cook the meal for school children:

- Social inclusion: By employing Dalit women, the scheme aims to break caste-based discrimination and promote social harmony. It provides an opportunity for marginalized communities like the Dalits to be a part of the mainstream society.

- Empowerment of women: The Mid-day Meal Scheme also focuses on empowering women, especially from marginalized communities, by providing them with employment opportunities. This helps in improving their social and economic status.

- Gender equality: Through the employment of women, the scheme promotes gender equality by giving equal opportunities to both men and women. This helps in breaking traditional gender stereotypes and encouraging girls to participate in education and other social activities.

- Hygiene and nutrition: Women, particularly Dalit women, are considered to be more sensitive to issues related to hygiene and nutrition. This ensures that the meals served to the children are cooked with proper hygiene and provide adequate nutrition.

Overall, the employment of Dalit women in the Mid-day Meal Scheme helps in fostering social inclusion, empowering women, promoting gender equality, and ensuring better hygiene and nutrition for the children.