The chief minister has been promising a review of the scheme since 2012. The latest promise – during demands for grants on education, where Parrikar who is Education Minister too, promised to review the much-criticized mid-day meal scheme after Diwali festival in October.
On August 13, 2014 the Chief Minister told the State Legislative Assembly about his plans to review the scheme by introducing fruit in the diet and by extending it to Classes IX and X.
Parrikar also assured financial support to those schools that intend to start canteen or an independent mid-day meal service for the school students, while welcoming suggestions from his colleagues.
A similar assurance was made by the chief minister to public and legislators, in the past. On July 21, 2012 Parrikar promised on the Floor of the House, to revamp the scheme for school children before Diwali 2012, claiming that the meals served were “not even fit for animals”. Paradoxically, unaware of his words, now he says there is nothing seriously wrong with the implementation of the scheme. Just six to seven cases of food poisoning does not make the scheme in Goa unsafe, he opined. He had then promised to consider introducing hygienic food like milk and wholegrain biscuits.
A year later, on July 22, 2013, Parrikar said that the scheme would be reviewed by introducing hygienic food including fruits. In both the cases, he had also announced to involve parents teachers association in the cooking and distribution process. However, the menu continued to be bhaji pao and pulao.
From July 2013 to August 2014, there were cases of suspected food poisoning reported in the State.
On July 18, 2013, around 86 students studying in Shri Mallikaarjun High School, Canacona fell sick after consuming contaminated mid day meal. The contractor of the self help group (SHG) that provides mid-day meal to schools was arrested and his license was suspended. On July 19, another 23 students from St Joseph High School, Usgao were affected and hospitalized after eating meals prepared by another SHG.
In the very same month, one more incident of least 19 students of a government-aided high school at Pernem taluka were hospitalized after consuming mid-day meals.
