Question : QUALITY FOOD UNDER MDMS

(a) the details of the cases of incidents reported regarding spurious or poor quality of food served to the children under Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(b) the details of the guidelines issued by the Government to check such incidents in future;

(c) whether the Government proposes to involve Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO`s) like Akshayapatra for providing hygienic and quality food to the students throughout the country under MDMS; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the time by which the final decision will be taken in the matter?

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

(a) :The State/UT wise complaints regarding poor quality of the Mid Day Meal are at Annexure.

(b):The Central Government has issued detailed guidelines to ensure quality, safety and hygiene under Mid Day Meal Scheme. The States / UTs have been requested to take immediate action on following points:

i. Setting up of an effective Management Structure for MDM at various levels.

ii. Mandatory tasting of the meal by at least one teacher before it is served to the children

iii. Safe storage and supply of ingredients to schools

iv. Capacity building of stakeholders

v. Procurement of pulses and ingredients of Agmark quality and supply to schools.

vi. Awareness about entitlements under Mid Day Meal Scheme

vii. Convening of District level Vigilance and Monitoring Committee meeting under the Chairmanship of senior most Member of Parliament from the district.

viii. Convening of regular review meeting at District level under the chairpersonship of DC/ Deputy Commissioner/CEO, ZilaParishad

ix. Social Audit of the Scheme.

x. Testing of food samples by CSIR/NABL accredited lab

xi. Prompt action on the reports of the Monitoring Institutes, Joint Review Mission etc.

xii. Contingency Medical Plans

(c)& (d) The guidelines for engagement of Voluntary Organisation/Non -Government Organizations (NGOs) under Mid Day Meal Scheme have already been issued by the Ministry in September 2010. Akshaypatra is presently engaged by 8 States for providing MDM in selected districts.