Question : MISMANAGEMENT IN MDMS

(a) whether cases of irregularities, corruption and other mismanagement in the operation of Mid Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) have been reported from several States;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the nature of complaints received State-wise;

(c) the steps that the Government proposes to take to remove these irregularities in the scheme; and

(d) whether suggestions have been received from various quarters, including State Governments for giving cash/deposit of some amount in the accounts of children in lieu of food so as to check corruption in the scheme and if so, the action taken thereon?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)

(a) to (d): A Statement is laid on the Table of the Sabha.

Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (d) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 291 for 25.04.2012 by Shri Haribhau Jawale and Shri A.K.S. Vijayan regarding Mismanagement in MDMS.

(a) & (b): During the year 2011, 34 complaints of various irregularities such as poor quality of food (9), misappropriation (9) and irregularities (16) had been received by this Ministry, which were referred to the States/UTs for necessary action. As per the reports from States/UTs, in 21 cases, the complaints have been found to be baseless, while in remaining cases, action taken includes transfer of the concerned Principal, recovery from the responsible persons, suspension and initiation of disciplinary proceedings against defaulting persons, and setting up of enquiry committee. The state-wise and category-wise number of complaints received is given in the Annexure.

(c): For effective implementation of the scheme, the Scheme guidelines provide for an extensive monitoring mechanism at the school, block, district, State and the National levels. The scheme is constantly reviewed through Quarterly Progress Reports, in the National level Steering cum Monitoring Committee meetings and during Programme Approval Board meetings. In addition the Central Review Missions visit the States for an on the spot assessment. Independent monitoring institutes also evaluate the Scheme at regular intervals.

(d): There is no proposal for Conditional Cash Transfer under Mid Day Meal Scheme. The Government intends to continue to serve hot cooked meal under the Scheme as per the directions of the Supreme Court.