BENGALURU: The number of complaints about poor quality food being served under the midday meal scheme (MDMS) is on the rise across the country. Between 2013 and 2015, there were 107 complaints about bad quality food - 18 in 2013, 41 in 2014 and 48 in 2015. But, action was taken against those responsible in only 32 cases.
Kerala is the only state where not a single case relating to bad food was reported in three years. Karnataka managed a clean record in 2015 after seven instances were reported in 2013 and 2014.
Data from the department of school education and literacy (DSEL) of the ministry of human resources and development shows that action, like transfer or suspension of those responsible, was taken in 32 of the 107 cases.
Uttar Pradesh and Delhi reported a rise in bad meals in schools over the three years: UP recorded 21 complaints about meal quality in three years, while Delhi reported nine.
In terms of overall complaints relating to the scheme, including poor quality of food, misappropriation, irregularities and casteism, a total of 280 cases were reported from 2013 to 2015. The states with the highest number of complaints are UP (71), Bihar (49), Jharkhand (16), West
Bengal
(15), Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra (14 each), and Delhi and Odisha (13 each). Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Tripura each reported only one case. Karnataka reported seven cases in all.
A senior official in Karnataka's primary and secondary education department said compared to other states there were very few flaws in the implementation of the midday meal scheme in the state. Non-government organizations have partnered with the government and they supply nutritious and hygienic food from their centralized kitchens to schools, particularly in urban areas, he said.
As many as 314 NGOs are engaged in supplying meals to schools in the country. About 112 NGOs are involved in the scheme in UP, 60 in West Bengal and 54 in Karnataka. Assam is getting a very little support from NGOs as only one organization supplies midday meals to schools in the state.
No. of complaints relating to poor quality food, irregularities and casteism in midday meal scheme between 2013 and 2015:
Utttar Pradesh - 71
Bihar - 49
Jharkhand - 16
West Bengal - 15
MP & Maharashtra - 14 each
Delhi, Odisha - 13 each
Assam, Haryana - 12 each
Chhattisgarh - 8
Karnataka,
Rajasthan - 7 each
Andhra Pradesh - 6
Uttarakhand - 5
Punjab - 4
Gujarat - 3
Goa & Telangana - 2 each
Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Tripura - 1 each
(Source: MHRD)