(a) whether the work of mid-day mea
(b) if so, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the studies of the children are getting adversely affected as a
result thereof;
(d) if so, whether additional staff is being appointed for this purpose; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRI M.A.A. FATMI)
(a) to (e): No, Sir. The overall responsibility for implementing the mid day meal programme
lies with the Slate Governments and Union Territory Administrations. MDM Scheme Guidelines
stipulates that as far as possible, responsibility for cooking/supply of cooked mid day
meal should be assigned to one of the following:
# Local Women`s/Mothers` Self Help Group.
# Local Youth Club affiliated to the Nehru Yuvak Kendras.
# A voluntary organization fulfilling requirements as specified in the Guidelines.
# By personnel engaged directly by the VEC/SMDC/PTA/Gram Panchay at/Municipalities.
The MDM Guidelines further reiterates that the teachers should under no circumstances be
assigned responsibilities that would impede or interfere with teaching learning. Teachers
should, however, be involved in ensuring that
(i) good quality, wholesome food is served
to children, and (ii) the actual serving and eating is undertaken in the spirit of
togetherness, under hygienic conditions and in an orderly manner. States are also advised
to engage Self Help Groups in the management of the programme, thus ensuring that
teaching-learning processes in the classrooms are not affected.