(a) whether there is any proposal to extend Mid-Day-Meal scheme for school children upto class V and later upto class X in the entire country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government are aware of the irregularities in the implementation of Mid-Day-Meal Scheme in some States;
(d) if so, the details thereof;
(e) whether the Government propose to revamp the Mid-Day-Meal Scheme; and
(f) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (Dr. SANJAY PASWAN)
(a)&(b): The National Programme of Nutritional Support to
Primary Education (NP-NSPE), popularly called the Mid-day
Meal scheme, is already being implemented upto primary level
(Classes I-V) throughout the country except in Jammu &
Kashmir where the state agency is yet to lift foodgrains
during the current year.
In pursuance of the announcement made by Hon’ble Prime
Minister on 15th August, 2003, States/UTs have been
requested to give their views about the cost & logistics of
extending the programme upto class X.
(c): Yes, Sir.
(d): According to the report of the Comptroller & Auditor
General of India for the period ending March, 2000, 1.40
lakh quintals of foodgrains under NP-NSPE were
misappropriated by transporters and distributing agencies
during 1995-1998 in five States namely Arunachal Pradesh,
Assam, Maharashtra, Nagaland and Uttar Pradesh. The report
also stated that in four other States namely Gujarat,
Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, foodgrains worth
Rs.31.07 crores were distributed to ineligible students.
Whenever instances of irregularity or shortcoming in
implementation of the scheme come to notice, the matter is
taken up with the concerned State Government/UT
Administration for ascertaining facts and remedial action.
(e) & (f): At present, no, Sir.