Team Herald
PANJIM: Education Director G P Bhat on Saturday said that the department would soon commence implementing guidelines of the Ministry of Human Recourses Department (MHRD) making Aadhaar cards compulsory for students to avail of the midday meal as well as for those who distribute it.
The February 28 notification says that from July 1, students at government and aided schools must produce their Aadhaar number or Aadhaar enrolment ID slip to be served the meal. The ministry has given time till June 30 for those who are not yet enrolled.
Speaking to Herald, Bhat said “We will follow the guidelines of MHRD but at present various discussions are on and we also have a meeting in this regard on March 8 at New Delhi. We have also asked for some additional information about the same. Once finalized, it will be implemented.”
“Once the entire process is finalized, a notification will be sent to schools after which students who avail of the scheme will have to link their Aadhaar card number,” Bhat said.
As per the data available with the MHRD it shows that of the 10 crore beneficiaries of the scheme in the country, only 2.5 crore have registered for Aadhaar cards.
The decision to link Aadhaar cards to the midday meal might have consequences as a child who has not enrolled for the card could be refused a meal. A major question that arises is that out the 1,65,000 students in Goa, how many have Aadhaar cards or have registered for the card.
