PORVORIM: Goa government is in talks with Akshaya Patra Foundation over the implementation of mid-day meal scheme across Goa even as there are no plans to involve the organisation at present.
“We are in talks with Akshaya Patra but we will also ensure that the existing self-help groups serving mid-day meals are not on the roads,” Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar told the State Legislative Assembly during the Question Hour on Friday.
He was replying to a supplementary questions raised by BJP MLA Nilesh Cabral whether CM would consider to give the scheme to the Trust ‘for the sake of good food to the children.’
“At present there are no plans… We have neither accepted nor rejected. We are examining it,” the CM further replied agreeing that food by Akshaya Patra is hygienic and good quality. “The very mention of Akshaya Patra has led to improvement in quality of food.”
Parrikar emphasised that the primary target of the scheme is students’ health and as such, the government will soon launch surprise visits at all SHG kitchens to check whether the staff follow sanitary and hygiene guidelines. “I want that good quality food and hygiene if followed in the scheme implementation. The primary target of the scheme is children. They should get proper nutrition. All others are subsidiary,” he said adding, “In urban areas, many students do not eat the mid day meals. We will find out why. We are trying to introduce surprise checks at the places where mid day meals are cooked to ensure the students are not provided unhygienic and stale food.” The CM also alleged that in certain cases the quantity of the mid day meal is not sufficient for the students.
As per written reply to a question by Congress MLA Francis Silveira, Parrikar stated that as per guidelines of Ministry of Human Resource Development, mid day meals is supplied containing 450 calories and 12 grams proteins for Primary and 700 calories and 20 grams proteins for Upper Primary.
The CM has asked the parents teachers association to be proactive and ensure that if bad quality food is served to students, the matter is reported to the authorities. “The PTAs should not countersign the Bills is not good,” he said. Six PTAs are involved in the preparation of the mid day meals.
“Quality of meal is checked by Head of the School / Incharge Teacher and a member of the PTA. They also taste the meal supplied by Self Help Groups/ Mahila Mandals and PTAs for quality, before serving the same to students. Nutrition Experts appointed by this office to collect the food samples and analyse in the Laboratory of Goa College of Home Science,” reads another written reply.
