The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry of India has raised concerns over the quality of food served in mid-day meals across 15 states and Union Territories (UTs). In the last three years, approximately 35 complaints have been lodged, highlighting substandard food quality. The Ministry’s Department of School Education and Literacy oversees the Midday Meal Scheme, initiated to secure nutritional well-being of children in government-backed schools.
Midday Meal Scheme: An Overview
The Midday Meal Scheme, a centrally sponsored initiative, was introduced in 1995 with the objective of ensuring nutrition for school-going children aged six to fourteen years studying in classes I-VIII. As per the scheme, each child who attends school is entitled to receive a free hot cooked meal on all school days. The meal is required to meet pre-determined nutritional standards. For primary students (class I-V), a meal should consist of 450 calories and 12 gm protein whereas upper primary students (class VI-VIII) should receive a meal containing 700 calories and 20 gm protein. The implementation of this scheme extends to all government and government-aided schools, including Madarsa and Maqtabs supported under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA).
Established Rules and Amendments
The most recent rules of the Midday Meal Scheme were notified in 2015, as part of the National Food Security Act of 2013. However, amendments have been made periodically to address emerging issues and improve execution. As per these rules, the meals should be served only in schools and must be prepared according to the guidelines provided by the Central Government. If the food grain required for preparing the meal is not available, or if there is any other issue, the State Government should provide a food security allowance by the 15th of the following month.
| Year | Number of Complaints | States/UTs Reporting Issues |
|---|---|---|
| Last 3 years | 35 | 15 |
Monitoring and Execution of the Scheme
The execution of the Midday Meal Scheme is monitored meticulously to ensure compliance with guidelines and nutritional standards. The School Management Committee, established under the Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, is responsible for monitoring the scheme’s implementation. Further, the State Steering-cum Monitoring Committee (SSMC) is charged with overseeing the entire process, ensuring an efficient mechanism for maintaining nutritional standards and quality of meals. Financial support for the scheme is provided by the government, covering costs such as food grains and cooking expenses for eligible schools and implementing agencies.
