MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)
(a): Yes, Madam. A meeting of the Empowered Committee for Mid Day Meal Scheme
(MDMS) was held at New Delhi on 07.09.2016 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister
of Human Resource Development to review the implementation of the Scheme. The list of
participants is given at Annexure –I. The committee reviewed the performance of the scheme
and identified certain issues to be examined such as adequacy of cooking cost, extension of
MDMS to class 9th and 10th, community participation, use of LPG, provision of more
foodgrains for children in tribal areas and safety, quality & hygiene etc. The Committee
recommended setting up of an expert committee to examine the above issues.
(b): The Mid-day Meal is provided to children studying in classes I-VIII of eligible schools in
the States/UTs as per the following norms:-
S.No. Items Quantity per day / child
Primary Upper Primary
1 Foodgrain (Rice / Wheat) 100 gm 150 gm
2 Pulses 20 gm 30 gm
3 Vegetables (leafy also) 50 gm 75 gm
4 Oil & Fat 5 gm 7.5 gm
5 Salt & Condiments As per need As per need
The Government has adopted an elaborate monitoring mechanism at Central, State and District
levels to check quality, safety and hygiene of Mid Day Meals. At national level, an
Empowered Committee, headed by Minister of HRD, a National level Steering-cum-
Monitoring Committee (NSMC) and Programme Approval Board (PAB), both headed by
Secretary (School Education & Literacy), evaluate the performance of each State in
implementation of the Scheme and suggest measures for its smooth and effective
implementation. At the State level, a State level Steering–cum-Monitoring Committee headed
by the State Chief Secretary and, at District Level, a District Level Committee under the
Chairpersonship of senior-most Member of Parliament of Lok Sabha, of the district monitors
the implementation of the scheme in the concerned District. Besides, at local level Gram
Panchayats /Gram Sabhas, member of Village Education Committees (VECs), Parent Teacher
Associations (PTAs), School Management Committees (SMCs) are required to monitor the
regularity and wholesomeness of the mid day meal served to children, cleanliness in cooking
and serving of the mid day meal, timeliness in procurement of good quality ingredients, fuel,
etc., implementation of varied menu and social and gender equity on a daily basis. In addition,
the Centre constitutes Joint Review Missions (JRMs) consisting of educational and nutritional
experts, which review the scheme through field visits from time to time. The reports of JRMs
are shared with concerned States/UTs for taking corrective action on the findings.
(c) The State/UT-wise details of the number of incidents of serving
substandard/contaminated mid- day meal reported from various States / UTs during the
last three years are given at annexure-II. During the last three years, only one such
incident has been reported in July, 2013 in District Saran of Bihar in which 23 children
died after consuming the Mid Day Meal.
(d) The cooking cost which includes the cost of vegetables, pulses, oil, condiments & fuel
has been enhanced by 7% w.e.f. 01.07.2016 and the current cooking cost is Rs.4.13 and
Rs.6.18 per child per day for Primary and Upper Primary stage, respectively. In addition,
the Central Government provides 100% funding for foodgrains, transport assistance,
kitchen devices and Management/Monitoring Expenses. Several State/UT Governments
are also contributing additional funds over and above their minimum mandatory share
under Mid Day Meal Scheme to provide nutritious food to the poor children to keep them
healthy and encouraged to attend school.
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