(a) whether the Government are considering to provide financial assistance to cover the cost for preparing cooked meal to the States for implementing the mid-day meal scheme during the 10th Plan;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise, alongwith the
procedure for diverting funds in favour of the States;
(c) whether there have been complaints that some States are
not properly implementing the mid-day meal schemes; and
(d) if so, the details thereof, State-wise?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (PROF. RITA VERMA)
(a)&(b): The Central Government is already providing
foodgrains, free of cost, to the State implementing agencies
and also reimbursing admissible transportation charges based
on which States/UTs are expected to provide meals to the
children. There is no proposal at present to provide
additional funds to States/UTs.
(c ) &(d): Only the States/UTs namely Chattisgarh,
Gujarat, Kerala, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andaman & Nicobar
Islands, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu and Pondicherry
are implementing cooked meal programme across the State/UT.
Orissa is implementing cooked meal programme in rural areas
of Bolangiri, Kalahandi, Koraput, Malkangiri, Nawapara,
Nawarangpur, Rayagada, Sonepur & Boudh districts and in
Integrated Tribal Development Authority (ITDA) blocks,
Karnataka in 7 educational backward districts and Madhya
Pradesh in Tribal Blocks, in Delhi ready to eat food is
being distributed. Other States/UTs are distributing
foodgrains under the scheme. Paucity of funds have been
cited as the main reason for not switching over to cooked
meals programme. The Government has been constantly urging
the States/UTs to provide cooked meal under the programme in
accordance with the directions of the Hon’ble Supreme Court
of India.