Sir — This refers to the article, “When the Government could not care less” (July 29) by Joginder Singh. The mid-day meal scheme was launched with the laudable intent to motivate poor children to come to school and and to provide them with fresh, nutritious meal.
But it seems that the dual purpose has been ill-served. Many States, despite Central resources and funds at their disposal, have failed to fulfil their responsibility to not just provide wholesome mid-day meals but also ensure that care is taken in its preparation and dispensation.
The mid-day meal scheme has been reduced to a cruel joke on the poor children. Since the tragedy in Bihar, newspapers have been flush with news of insects, dead rodents, lizards and cockroaches being found in mid-day meals across the country. This only demonstrates the lackadaisical and apathetic attitude of the administration towards its duty. Will there ever be any accountabilityIJ