CUNCOLIM: Self Help Groups (SHGs) continue to reel under unpaid dues from the government for doing public service of providing mid-day meals to children in remote schools.
Just one SHG in the Curchorem area which supplies to remote schools has Rs 25 lakhs pending. Even the women members are somehow managing to buy vegetables and other provisions, often on credit from grocery stores, to make mid-day meals for children
Two SHGs, Brama from Sanvordem and Master Cook from Quepem taluka, have highlighted the issue, with payments pending from seven to nine months.
Brama SHG, responsible for providing mid-day meals to government and aided schools in Curchorem town and remote areas of Sanvordem, has approximately Rs 25 lakh in pending dues for the last academic year.
The chief coordinator of the group, Mrs Kakodkar, informed O Heraldo of the dire situation, stating that they have been purchasing groceries and other supplies on credit, with shopkeepers now fed-up, and demanding immediate payment.
Even banks are pressuring the group for loan repayments. “Survival has become increasingly challenging. We appeal to the government to clear our pending bills,” said Kakodkar.
She added that they were unable to start mid-day meals this academic year due to financial constraints, but officials from the Assistant District Educational Inspector’s (ADEI) office forced them to proceed, promising payment by mid-June. “We have still not received our payment,” she lamented.
Similarly, Master Cook SHG, which supplies mid-day meals to schools in Quepem taluka, is struggling with bills amounting to nearly Rs 50 lakh, pending for seven months. Agustin Fernandes, a member of the group, stated that the government seems determined to replace SHGs in the mid-day meal scheme, resulting in these ongoing troubles.
Currently, there are 95 SHGs and 105 groups, including PTA (Parent-Teacher Associations), involved in the scheme.
Supplying to remote locations like Vavurla and hilly areas such as Veliovada and Kajur, Master Cook ensures that students from tribal communities and underprivileged families receive their mid-day meals on time. However, the suppliers themselves do not receive timely payments for their services.
Fernandes said that they have met the Director of Education and pleaded for the clearance of dues but have only received empty promises without any concrete solutions.
“During the Covid-19 pandemic, we even provided dry food without charging any commission. I fear that the government is looking to bring in outsiders to provide the noon meals. The authorities need to tell us why are they discontinuing the services of SHGs? What did we do wrong? Is asking for payment for our services and hard work an offence?” questioned Fernandes.
When contacted, Director of Education Shailesh Zingade said, “We have almost cleared all bills. However, it was brought to my notice that in case of 13 SHGs, the money due to issues with the bank. These might include those from Cuncolim and Quepem. There is no issue from our side. We have the money. It is bank issue or account holders’ issue.”
