Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 03 2009:
To generate mass awareness and ensure success of the Mid-day Meal Scheme being implemented in the State by the School Education Department under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, a media campaign has begun from today.
Commissioner of Education (S) PK Singh launched the campaign along with releasing copies of posters, hoardings, video and audio cassettes to be used for the campaign during a simple function held at the conference hall of the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan office building located at Babupara here today.
Speaking to media-persons at the occasion, the Commissioner said that successful implementation of the scheme introduced by the Government of India with the main objective of ensuring the health and education of the children belonging to BPL families is very essential.
He hoped that the media campaign which began from today would be able to resolve the earlier shortcomings in the implementation of the scheme.
Pointing out that the Supreme Court has already given a directive to ensure provision for meals to all the children of Primary and Upper Primary Schools for atleast 200 days in a year, the Commissioner informed that over and above this, as allowance for purchasing dal, vegetable, etc, a sum of Rs 1.89 per day for each student of Primary and Rs 2.40 per day for each student of Upper Primary School are being provided.
He also informed that from now onwards the rice quota under Mid-day Meal Scheme would be allowed to be lifted from FCS godown in bulk after every three months.
These rice quota should be availed through the respective Deputy Commissioners of the districts concerned.
In response to a question, the Commissioner said that as the earlier allotment of Rs 30,000 for construction of kitchen under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme was not sufficient enough, the authorities concerned have been notified to increase the amount to Rs 1 lakh.
Along with this, steps have also been taken up for handing over the necessary amount related to payment of wages to the cooks and the allowance for purchasing dal, vegetables, etc to the Development or Management Committee of the respective schools without any delay on receiving the sanctioned order of the Finance Department, the officer informed, while asking the people to contact the helpline nos.2450048 or 2451133 in case of complaint in this regard.