In 3 years, 41 complaints on midday meal schemes
The human resources development ministry on Monday informed the Rajya Sabha that it has received 41 complaints of irregularities in the working of the midday meal scheme in the past three years.
It added that several samples collected by the ministry had failed to meet nutritional and caloric values. It also received 39 complaints of poor quality of food served.
Minister of state for HRD Shashi Tharoor said in the Rajya Sabha that out of the 41 complaints received, action has been taken in 31 cases by respective state governments. While 11 complaints were received from Uttar Pradesh between 2010 and 2012, seven complaints were received from Bihar during 2011 and 2012, he said.
“The test report by Sriram Institute for Industrial Research New Delhi also shows that many samples failed to meet nutritional and caloric value prescribed under the guidelines,” he said.
Union HRD minister M.M. Pallam Raju informed that the National Accreditation Board for Laboratories has been asked to collect samples from the field. The NABL has been asked to test these samples for parameters such as micro-biological presence or absence of e-coli, chemical parameters such as moisture content, fats, protein and caloric value of the meal. “State governments have also been requested to consider engaging Food Safety and Standards Authority of India, CSIR institute or NABL-recognised labs for carrying out sample checking of the food to ensure quality meal.”
to students,” he said.
Twenty-three students had died in Bihar after consuming midday meal on July 16.
Dr Raju said the forensic science laboratory department of the Bihar government indicated presence of organic phosphorous in the meal of the children.
Post new comment