The Odisha Milita Vidyalaya Pachika Sahayaka Sangh (OMVPSS), an association of helpers of midday meal preparation in Government schools, protested the State Government’s move to engage private bodies to prepare and manage midday meals in the Government schools in the State.
Citing the recent engagement of the Akshaya Patra Foundation for preparation and distribution of midday meals in the Government schools under the municipal corporations of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, the Sangh strongly protested the Government’s act of engaging private firms in the midday meal preparation by sidelining them along with the Self Help Groups (SHGs).
Sangh member Renubala Das said they have been preparing midday meal for the students with a meager incentive. Neither have they been given any leave nor any Government facilities in their job. After several years’ service, the State Government is trying to sideline them by engaging private bodies which is very unfortunate, she added.
The Sangh members said the helpers and SHG members would stage dharna and rally on July 14 at the lower PMG demanding a long term solution to the problems faced by them. Among others, Sangha vice president Rajkishore Mallick, Shahnaz Parween and Satyabhama addressed the reporters here.