(a) whether the Government is aware that several organisations associated with the Mid Day Meal Scheme have received foreign funding;
(b) if so, the facts and details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has conducted or proposes to conduct any inquiry regarding proper utilisation of foreign funds by such organisation; and
(d) if so, the details and outcome thereof?
MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a) to (d): The Mid Day Meal Scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by the State / UT Governments with assistance from the Central Government. The Mid Day Meal Scheme Guidelines emphasize promotion of school-based cooking in kitchen-cum-stores in schools with the help of cook-cum-helpers through local Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), Self-Help Group (SHGs), Mothers’ organizations and the local community. NGOs / Trusts / Centralized kitchens may however, be engaged for serving hot cooked meals to the children of schools located in urban areas and where there is no space for construction of a kitchen-cum-store in the school compound. As per available information, 447 NGOs were engaged by 16 States for preparation and serving of meals to children in 2013-14.
No data is maintained in the Ministry on funding to NGOs engaged by the States. However, as per information received from State Governments of Karnataka and Odisha, Akshayapatra Foundation has received Rs.66.32 crore foreign funding during 2010-11 to 2012-13 and Nandi Foundation US$ 277200 during September, 2010 to January, 2014.