(a) whether the Government has collaborated with various NGOs including the “Akshay Patra NGO to work under Mid-Day Meal Scheme” in recent past;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor and the steps taken in this regard;
(d) whether such collaboration is likely to improve the enrolment ratio in schools in the country; and
(e) the details of legal/financial constraints in this regard, if any?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)
(a) to (e): The Mid Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented in partnership with the States/UTs. The overall responsibility for providing cooked and nutritious mid-day meal to the eligible children lies with the State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. The MDM guidelines provide for Centralized kitchens for urban areas where there is space constraint. In Centralized kitchens, cooking can take place and cooked hot meal may be transported under hygienic conditions through reliable transport systems to various schools. Accordingly, various NGOs including the “Akshay Patra” were engaged by the States/UTs under the Scheme. The States/UTs-wise details of NGOs engaged under the Scheme is at Annexure. There is a marginal decline in the enrolment in government schools. No specific reason can be attributed for the marginal decline in the enrolment government school