Question : MID DAY MEAL SCHEME

(a) the number of schools and children covered/benefited under the Mid Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) during each of the last three years and the current year, State/ UT-wise;

(b) the details of the funds allocated and utilized under the Scheme during the above period, State-wise;

(c) whether the enrolment in schools has increased after the introduction of the said scheme and if so, the extent of increase reported in each State during the above period, gender-wise;

(d) whether alleged irregularities including serving of substandard meal to the students have been reported; and

(e) if so, the details of such cases reported during the said period, State-wise and the action taken against those found responsible?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (e): A statement is laid on the table of the House.

Statement referred to in reply to parts (a) to (e) of Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 24 for 25.02.2015 raised by Shri Ravindra Kumar Pandey and Shri Bhartruhari Mahtab regarding Mid Day Meal Scheme

(a): The State/UT-wise number of schools and children covered / benefitted under Mid Day Meal Scheme during the last three years and current year are given at Annexure-I.

(b): The State/UT-wise details of the funds allocated / utilized under the Scheme during the last three years and current year are given at Annexure-II.

(c): After introduction of Mid Day Meal Scheme in 1995, initially the enrollment of children in Govern- ment and Government aided schools had increased. However, in recent years, enrolment rates have stabili- zed or dipped as birth rates are stabilizing in several States of the country. The Gender-wise enrolment in Government and Government aided schools during the last three years is given in Annexure-III. The objectives of the Mid Day Meal include, inter alia, not only enhancing enrolment, retention and attendance in schools but also to address classroom hunger and social integration.

(d) & (e): Out of 190 complaints received in the last three years and the current year, 75 complaints pertained to poor quality of meals especially related to aspects of food safety. The details of such complaints and action taken is given at Annexure-IV and IV(a). Action taken by the States includes criminal cases instituted, termination / suspension / transfer of those found responsible besides corrective action taken for prevention of recurrence of such complaints / incidents. The Central Government has issued instructions from time to time to States including an updated set of guidelines issued on 13th February, 2015, on food safety and hygiene to be observed in procurement, storage, preparation, cooking, serving, waste disposal and non-discrimination in the school Mid Day Meal programme.