MidDay Meal Scheme
Whether the Government proposes to convert the MidDay Meal Scheme (MDMS) from mere entitlement to Rights of the children and if so, the details thereof along with the time by which it is likely to be implemented;
Whether the Government proposes any new MDM Scheme and if so, the salient features thereof;
The number of complaints reported with regard to irregularities like contaminated food, under nutritious food etc. along with the reports of casualties received by the Government during the last three years, State/UT/year-wise
The details of amount per head sanctioned by the Government for providing food under MDM Scheme and its adequacy to ensure healthy and nutritious food to children; and
The remedial measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for providing quality of food to students and check irregularities in the said scheme?
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 88 ANSWERED ON: 25.04.2016
MidDay Meal Scheme
DEVAJIBHAI GOVINDBHAI FATEPARA
MUKESH RAJPUT
SANKAR PRASAD DATTA
PINAKI MISRA
UDAY PRATAP SINGH
LALLU SINGH
Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:-
(a) whether the Government proposes to convert the MidDay Meal Scheme (MDMS) from mere entitlement to Rights of the children and if so, the details thereof along with the time by which it is likely to be implemented;
(b) whether the Government proposes any new MDM Scheme and if so, the salient features thereof;
(c) the number of complaints reported with regard to irregularities like contaminated food, under nutritious food etc. along with the reports of casualties received by the Government during the last three years, State/UT/year-wise
(d) the details of amount per head sanctioned by the Government for providing food under MDM Scheme and its adequacy to ensure healthy and nutritious food to children; and
(e) the remedial measures taken/proposed to be taken by the Government for providing quality of food to students and check irregularities in the said scheme?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a): The Ministry has notified Mid Day Meal Rules 2015 under Section 39 (1) of the National Food Security Act 2013. These statutory rules mandate that hot cooked mid day meals in the schools shall be provided to all students studying in classes I to VIII who enroll and attend the school free of charge every day except on school holidays. The rules also provide for Food Security Allowance to be paid to children in case of failure to provide meals for specified reasons.
(b): There is no such proposal in the Ministry.
(c): The State-wise and year-wise number of complaints received is given at Annexure-I.
(d): The MDM Guidelines provide for serving a wholesome and nutritious meal which should have 450 calories and 12 gram of protein for children of primary schools and 700 calories and 20 gram of protein for upper primary schools. The cooking cost (which includes cost of pulses, vegetables, oil & fat, condiments and fuel) per child per day for primary stage is Rs. 3.86 and Rs. 5.78 for upper primary stage since 1st July, 2015 when it was enhanced by 7.5%. Besides this, foodgrains @ 100 grams for children of primary schools and 150 grams for upper primary schools are also provided to the States. Many States / UTs are contributing additional funds from their resources towards cooking cost besides providing additional food items like egg, banana etc. to the children.
(e): The Government of India has issued updated guidelines on quality, safety and hygiene on school level kitchens to all the States / UTs on 13th February, 2015. These guidelines inter alia provide for instruction to schools to procure Agmark quality and branded items for preparation of mid day meals, tasting of meals by 2-3 adults members including at least one teacher before serving to children and to put in place a system of testing of food samples by accredited laboratories. Further, the MDM Rules 2015 provide for mandatory testing of food samples on a monthly basis by Government recognized laboratories to ensure that the meals meet with nutritional standards and quality. Besides the above, the Guidelines also envisage monitoring of 25% of the schools on quarterly basis by the officials of the States / UTs. In addition, the States / UTs have established Grievance Redressal Mechanism at various levels in their States with a toll free number for addressing the grievances of stakeholders.
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Source : Loksabha
[http://164.100.47.190/loksabhaquestions/annex/8/AU88.pdf]
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