In view of the gross irregularities in carrying out the midday meal (MDM) programme, the State Government now wants to put in place a monitoring system for smooth operation of the scheme. The MDM is served to over 55 lakh children in 63,673 schools in the State.
Special vigilance teams would conduct surprise raids on schools to ensure good quality of food served to children under the MDM scheme. A special team comprising the Block Education Officers (BEOs) and Food Security Officers (FSOs) would arrive at schools across a district without prior notice to collect samples of the food served to children, sources in the School and Mass Education Department said.
The samples would be sent to laboratories through the State Food Commission to ascertain the nutritional value of the meal. The tests would comply with the standard guidelines issued by the Government. If the samples fail the test, action would be initiated against the authorities of the concerned schools.
If the samples do not meet the standards, the team would inquire into the matter, find out the loopholes and fix responsibility following which action would be initiated against the persons responsible.
A notification in this regard has been circulated to all DEOs. The district Collectors have also been asked to monitor the MDM scheme management. Besides, the team would also look into infrastructure issues that include storage facilities, kitchens, quality drinking water and other things linked to hygiene during the preparation of food.
Besides, the cooks and other people associated with MDM would be given awareness and orientation on safe and hygienic cooking practices through workshops. To reduce dependence on firewood and reduce cooking time, Rs8.44 crore has been sanctioned, in the first phase, for lPG linkage to the schools.
It may be recalled that over 180 students fell sick after eating the MDM at the Jaguleipadar Nodal Upper Primary School in Puri district in November last. There have also been instances of lizards, scorpions and cockroaches being found in the meals.
Reports also said that 375 students including 89 from Nayagarh, 62 from Kendrapada, 50 from Ganjam, 39 in Rourkela, 30 from Dhenkanal, 23 from Baleswar, 22 from Khordha and 14 from Balangir districts had taken ill after consuming contaminated midday meal in 2013.