In a move aimed at checking rampant corruption in Mid-Day Meal (MDM) scheme, the Centre has added more teeth to the populous meal programme designed to improve <g data-gr-id="28">nutritional</g> status of schoolchildren nationwide.
The HRD Ministry’s flagship programme, which was launched to reduce dropouts among schoolkids, will now have a legal backing as the ministry has made it must for states to provide <g data-gr-id="26">meal</g> to students.
According to the new rules of the National Programme of MDM in Schools, the states have been directed not to engage NGOs in cooking activity. Besides, schools cannot deny serving mid-day meal even if they run out of money. “The schools have been directed to utilise unspent funds meant for other purposes such as school maintenance work, furniture, housekeeping, etc, for <g data-gr-id="24">mid-day</g> meal,” a source said.
To enforce this fund-sharing mechanism, the responsibilities of states have also been fixed. In case of denial of <g data-gr-id="19">meal</g> to students, the state will be legally <g data-gr-id="20">responsible </g><g data-gr-id="21"><g data-gr-id="20">to pay</g> food security allowance and that too within 15 days of the month</g>.
According to the new guidelines, the school will be responsible for coughing up the amount fixed by the state for grains and cooking charges as food security allowance.
With MDM getting a legal cover, its violation makes schools more responsible. “Parents will now be empowered to move court, in case of food denial as well as quality compromise. It’s a welcome step and HRD Minister Smriti Irani should be appreciated,” said <g data-gr-id="17">Ashisk</g> Kumar, convenor of MDM cook front.