Question : Funds for Construction of Kitchencum Stores under MDMS

(a) whether under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme, financial assistance is provided by the
Government for construction of kitchen-cum-stores;
(b) if so, the details of the financial assistance provided during each of the last three
years and the current year, State-UT-wise;
(c) the number of kitchen-cum-stores constructed in schools across the country during
the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;
(d) whether the cases of irregularities/ corruption/under-utilization of funds meant for
construction of kitchen-cum-stores have come to the notice of the Government
during the said period and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise along with the
reasons therefor; and
(e) the corrective steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure adequate funds
for construction of kitchen-cum-stores in schools and to strengthen the monitoring
mechanism to keep an eye on utilisation of such funds?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE
MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
(SHRI UPENDRA KUSHWAHA)

(a) to (c): Under the Mid Day Meal Scheme, the Central Government started providing
100% Central Assistance for construction of kitchen-cum-stores at a flat rate of Rs.
60,000/- per unit since 2006-07. The norms for kitchen-cum-stores have been
revised from the month of December, 2009 and the cost of construction of kitchencum-
stores is now determined on the basis of plinth area norms and the State
Schedule of Rates prevalent in the States and UTs on sharing basis. The revised
norms prescribe 20 sq. mtr. plinth area for construction of kitchen-cum-stores in
schools having upto 100 children; for every additional 100 children, additional 4
sq. mtr. plinth area will be added. States and UTs have the flexibility to modify the
slab of 100 children depending upon local conditions. As per revised norms
financial assistance is shared between Centre and States & UTs in prescribed ratio.
The State and UT-wise funds released for construction of kitchen-cum-store and
number of kitchen-cum-store constructed during the last three years and current
year is given at Annexure.
(d) No specific complaints regarding irregularities/corruption/under-utilization of funds
meant for construction of kitchen-cum-store have come to the notice of
Government of India during the last three years and the current year.
(e) The Government has adopted an elaborate monitoring mechanism at Central, State
and District levels to ensure quality food is served to children as well as utilisation
of funds under the Scheme. At national level, an Empowered Committee, headed
by Minister of Human Resource Development and also a National level Steeringcum-
Monitoring Committee (NSMC) as well as Programme Approval Board
(PAB) monitor the scheme and suggest measures for its smooth and effective
implementation. At the State level, a State level Steering–cum-Monitoring
Committee headed by the State Chief Secretary and, at the District Level, a District
Level Committee under the Chairpersonship of the senior-most Member of
Parliament of Lok Sabha of the district monitors the implementation of the scheme
in the concerned District. At local level Gram Panchayats/Gram Sabhas, members
of Village Education Committees (VECs), Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) and
the School Management Committees (SMCs) monitor the regularity and
wholesomeness of the mid-day meal served to children, cleanliness in cooking and
serving of the meal, timeliness in procurement of good quality ingredients, fuel,
etc., implementation of variety in menu so as to make it attractive to children and
ensuring social and gender equity on daily basis. In addition, the Centre constitutes
Joint Review Missions (JRMs) consisting of educational and nutritional experts,
which review the scheme through field visits from time to time. The reports of
JRMs are shared with concerned States and UTs for taking suitable action on the
findings.