Question : Irregularities in Mid Day Meal Scheme

(a) the guidelines issued by the Government with regard to Mid Day Meal Scheme ;
(b) the number of children died /fallen sick after eating the Mid Day Meal in the
country during each of the last three years and the current year, year-wise and
State-wise;
(c) whether the Government has conducted any enquiry in this regard and if so, the
outcome of the enquiry;
(d) the number of officials who were involved in such cases and the action taken
against them;
(e) whether the Government has announced any compensation to the parents of
children who were hospitalised and died after eating the mid day meal during the
said period and if so, the details thereof; and
(f) the corrective steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL ‘NISHANK’)
(a): The Government of India has issued guidelines on quality, safety and hygiene in
school level kitchens to all the States and UTs. These guidelines inter-alia provide
for instructions to schools to procure Agmark quality and branded items for
preparation of mid day meals, tasting of meals by 2-3 adult members of School
Management Committee including at least one teacher before serving to children
and to put in place a system of testing of food samples by accredited laboratories.
(b) to (e): A total number of 931 children were reported ill after eating the mid-day
meal in the country during the last three years and current year. The State-wise
and year-wise details are given at Annexure.
The overall responsibility for providing cooked and nutritious Mid Day Meal to the
eligible children lies with State Governments and UTs Administrations. Respective
State Governments and UT Administrations were requested to furnish Action
Taken Report (ATR) in the matter. As per Action Taken Reports (ATRs) received
from States and UTs, action such as issuing warning against the official
responsible, terminating the contract of concerned NGOs / Organisations, initiating
criminal proceedings and imposing penalties against the defaulting
persons/officials/organisations have been taken by the concerned State
Governments and UT Administrations.
(f): The Government has adopted an elaborate monitoring mechanism at Central,
State and District levels to ensure quality food is served to children under the
Scheme. Further, the MDM Rules, 2015 provide for mandatory testing of food
samples by Government recognized laboratories to ensure that the meals meet
nutritional standards and quality. In addition to directing States and UTs to carry
out Social Audit, 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
and UTs for taking suitable action on the findings. The Government of India has
also issued guidelines on quality, safety and hygiene in school level kitchens to all
the States and UTs.
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