(a) whether the Operation Research Group in conjunction with UNICEF has surveyed Mid-Day-Meal Scheme in States to assess its success;
(b)if so, whether the said Group found that the scheme is not being implemented in its true spirit in States;
(c)if so, the details thereof;
(d)the number of States which have shown very poor performance in implementation of this scheme; and
(e) the steps being taken by the Government for effective implementation of this scheme?
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (DR. MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI)
(a), (b), (c), (d) & (e) : A Statement is laid on the Table of
the Sabha.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a), (b), (c), (d) & (e)
OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 140 RAISED BY SHRI RAM
PRASAD SINGH AND SHRI SULTAN SALAHUDDIN OWAISI REGARDING MID-
DAY MEAL SCHEME FOR REPLY ON 31-07-2001.
(a), (b) and (c): An evaluation study to asses the
efficiency and effectiveness of the National Programme for
Nutritional Support to Primary Education (popularly called
Mid-day Meals Scheme) was undertaken by an independent agency
called Operations Research Group, New Delhi with the
financial assistance of Unicef. The study covers Assam,
Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh,
Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. The report
was submitted in September, 1999. The findings of the report
state that while the programme has given a boost to enrolment
in Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal; in 6
other States it has had a positive impact on attendance and
retention.
For further improvement in the programme the evaluation
report has raised issues such as requirement of separate cell
with adequate staff, lack of coordination among the agencies
involved in the implementation of the programme, allocation
of food-grains to be made contingent upon enrolment, data
need for streamlining payment of transportation charges,
periodic monitoring and mid-term review of the lifting and
distribution of food-grains and greater involvement of
Panchayati Raj Institutions.
A follow up action has already been initiated on these
issues.
(d) and (e): States in which lifting of food-grains has been
poor are - Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Jammu & Kashmir,
Meghalaya and Punjab. Central Government has taken up the
matter with these States to improve the position and ensure
effective implementation of the Scheme.