PANJIM: After hundreds of students remained hungry for almost three days in Sattari schools owing to the black-listing of the midday meal supplier, the Education Department has swung into action by roping in two Self Help Group’s (SHG) to provide meals.
On Monday, the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) ordered the closure of a self-help group (SHG) supplying midday meal to around 938 students in Valpoi after it was found to be operating from unlicensed premises.
Similarly, a bakery supplying bread to the SHG was also ordered to be shut down as it was operating without an FDA licence. Both units were also found to be filthy.
Speaking to Herald, Education Director G P Bhat confirmed that full-fledged midday meals services would begin from Saturday (September 9).
“We have already roped in two SHGs for providing midday meals to the affected schools and full-fledged services are set to begin from tomorrow (Saturday),” Bhat said.
Education Department Sources said that two SHGs, namely Ravalnath and Indradhanush, have been roped in to provide midday meals to 938 students.
Meanwhile, parents were accusing the education department for slow in hiring SHGs to provide meals to hundreds of students in Sattari.
It may be recalled that on the day when the government extended the contract of self help groups for supplying midday meals for the ongoing academic year, the FDA ordered the closure of a kitchen run by SHG Bhumika Mahila Mandal for working in unhygienic condition.
