Team Herald
PANJIM: The mid-day meal suppliers have threatened to stop the supply of food to the students from July 31, if the government fails to adhere to their demand to increase the rate per meal.
In a letter to the Director of Education, the mid-day meal suppliers have stated that to meet the increased rates of commodities, LPG, transportation charges, it is important that the government revise the mid-day meal rates.
A total of 105 self-help groups and mahila mandals supply mid-day meals to the schools, under the banner of All Goa Mid-Day Meal Suppliers Federation.
The Federation pointed out that the present rate of per meal from Class I to V is Rs 6.11 per child and the quantity is 200 grams and for Class VI to VIII the rates are Rs 7.45 per child for a quantity of 260 grams.
“As per the present quota to be supplied for the mid-day meals, it cost us Rs 8.50 per child for 100 grams and Rs 10.50 per child for 150 grams,” the Federation said.
They said that the existing rates were allocated at the time when the commodities were cheaper in pre-COVID and pandemic period. But now, the rates of every commodity, LPG, petrol has increased, which is non-affordable at the present rate.
Earlier this week, on the Floor of the House, Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant had said that the quality of food supplied in the mid-day meal is not up to the mark, and that the State will take the initiative to provide quality food along the lines of Akshaya Patra.
