Pulses at subsidized rates for mid-day meals

By Haryananewswire

CHANDIGARH, JULY 19

Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda has announced that from now onwards pulses for mid-day meal scheme would be given on subsidized rate of Rs 20 per kg for all government schools in the state.

            While stating this here today, Education Minister, Mrs. Geeta Bhukkal said that this decision would further help to meet nutritional   needs of children.  The department had demanded for the same which has now been approved by the Chief Minister.

            It may be recalled that state government has decided to implement Food Security Ordinance from August 20 throughout the state. Besides implementing the Food Security Ordinance to ensure food security to the poor, the Government has also decided to provide 2.5 kilogram pulses per month at a subsidized rate of Rs 20 per kilogram to each BPL family.

            While expressing deep grief over the unfortunate incident in Bihar where some children had lost their lives after consuming mid-day meal, Mrs. Bhukkal said that all the officers have been directed to ensure proper monitoring of the scheme. Responsibility of cooks as well as school heads has also been fixed. They themselves would thoroughly check the quality of mid-day meal being served to children so as to avoid any kind of unpleasant incident.

She said that had herself paid a visit to some schools to check the entire process of mid-day meal being served to students and she was satisfied with the quality of the mid-day meal. All the officers have been directed to visit the schools of their respective areas to check the quality of mid-day meal, she added.

            Mrs. Bhukkal said that all the concerned officials have been asked to refuse for delivery of items under mid-day meal scheme, if they find anything wrong with the grains being supplied by designated agencies. Supply of grains to schools is being made through Confed, Hafed and Food Corporation of India.She said that menu of mid-day meal had also been revised to ensure protein and adequate calories to children. About 16 new dishes were being served to students in schools. Special attention should be paid to cleanliness and hygiene, she added.

            The Minister said that kitchen sheds and utensils have also been provided for maintaining proper hygiene at cooking place. Separate arrangement of stores would also be made in the schools. Soaps have also been provided for hand wash of students so as to maintain proper hygiene, she added.