After serving the poor for almost six long years, the Mukhyamantri Dal-Bhat Yojna has been reproduced in a new look by the Government in the State.
Besides getting renamed as ‘Chief Minister Canteen Scheme’, the fancy sounding eateries would be run by a private firm handpicked on nomination basis.
Informing about the decision taken by the Cabinet on Tuesday, Secretary SS Meena said that Rs 14.93 crore has been released for this purpose for a year. “Initially 18 centres of Ranchi district have been selected to be given to M/S Touchstone Foundation, on nomination basis,” he added.
It is estimated that per plate cost of the meal provided at the centres would be Rs 20, however, the beneficiary would have to pay only Rs 5, just like before, and the rest amount would come in the form of Government subsidy. Apart from running the centres, the firm would also setup and maintain a ‘base kitchen’ to cook and supply quality staple food to the needy at a very reasonable cost.
launched by former Chief Minister Arjun Munda on August 15, 2011 the centres spread mostly at crowed places frequented mostly by daily wage workers, rickshaw pullers and disabled and have been providing protein rich diet with unlimited rice, pulses and a vegetable, gram or soyabean curry.
“Besides, the Cabinet has also approved the process under which purchases above Rs 50,000 of office items can be made through online shopping portal of the Government e-market place. This would curtail process of tendering which often causes delay,” Meena said.
This apart, concerned over uncontrollable dropout rate in primary schools, the Government has decided to go for Kindergarten
model or KG classes for children. Kids between 5 and 6 years of age would get admission in the classes named as ‘Shishu Sadan’.
Meena said that the facility would help children acclimatising before being introduced to formal education. “It has been seen the dropout rate is quite high during primary classes as children in rural pockets are unfriendly to formal education. ‘Shishu Sadans’ would be started in all primary schools operation in the State for the children of 5-6 year old,” said the official.