NEW DELHI: Review of the midday meal scheme
on Wednesday turned into free and frank discussion with some important
decisions to strengthen the quality and hygiene aspect of the programme.
It was decided that MDM would follow the guidelines of Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI). Established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, FSSAI is a single reference point for all matters relating to food safety and standards. HRD minister M M Pallam Raju also said there should be a greater convergence with organizations like the National Service Scheme (NSS). He also said help of Accredited Social Health Activist under National Rural Health Mission (NHRM) be taken to enhance the quality of MDM.
National Advisory Council (NAC) member NC Saxena said MDM's problem lies outside school whereas the institution is expected to sort them out. He said MDM suffers from serious problems of cash and foodgrain flow. He said MDM suffers from rampant corruption. Saxena pointed out that the gap between coverage of MDM and school enrolment points out that there is some serious lacuna. He, however, praised the work done by a particular officer in Uttar Pradesh and pointed out that it is in disarray ever since he was moved out.
MDM expert Ashok Rao said talk of greater synergy does not work at the ground level. He said in one village there are five kitchens - for primary, upper primary, two run by society for elimination of rural poverty and one for Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) - and they do not even interact with each other.
HRD minister said School Management Committee cannot be expected to do everything, from overseeing cooking to tasting food. As for strengthening the cooking quality it was decided that cook-cum-helpers would be trained by Mumbai-based Naik Foundation, which runs a 30-day programme for cook-cum-helpers.
It was decided that MDM would follow the guidelines of Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI). Established under Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, FSSAI is a single reference point for all matters relating to food safety and standards. HRD minister M M Pallam Raju also said there should be a greater convergence with organizations like the National Service Scheme (NSS). He also said help of Accredited Social Health Activist under National Rural Health Mission (NHRM) be taken to enhance the quality of MDM.
National Advisory Council (NAC) member NC Saxena said MDM's problem lies outside school whereas the institution is expected to sort them out. He said MDM suffers from serious problems of cash and foodgrain flow. He said MDM suffers from rampant corruption. Saxena pointed out that the gap between coverage of MDM and school enrolment points out that there is some serious lacuna. He, however, praised the work done by a particular officer in Uttar Pradesh and pointed out that it is in disarray ever since he was moved out.
MDM expert Ashok Rao said talk of greater synergy does not work at the ground level. He said in one village there are five kitchens - for primary, upper primary, two run by society for elimination of rural poverty and one for Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) - and they do not even interact with each other.
HRD minister said School Management Committee cannot be expected to do everything, from overseeing cooking to tasting food. As for strengthening the cooking quality it was decided that cook-cum-helpers would be trained by Mumbai-based Naik Foundation, which runs a 30-day programme for cook-cum-helpers.
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