Centre asks Goa to verify ‘high’ midday meal supply data

Panaji: During the annual review of the midday meal scheme for Goa, central officials instructed the state to verify the high coverage under the scheme in Goa and submit an ‘action taken’ report. They noted that the coverage in the state was higher than the national average.
Goa reported a coverage of 105% at the pre-primary level and 102% at the upper primary level, compared to the approval for meals by the Central Project Approval Board. “The chairman of the board observed that the coverage of students in the state was more than the national average. He suggested that state govt verify this high coverage,” the minutes of the meeting for the approval of funds for the midday meal scheme for 2024-25 stated.
The number of midday meals supplied was high even though the number of working days for 2023-24 in Goa was lower. The project approval board permitted the supply of meals for 238 days to be covered during 2023-24. However, the state reported coverage of 136 (93%) working days against the approved 142 days up to Nov 30, 2023. “State govt explained that working days were reduced due to heavy rainfall on some days, extended Christmas holidays, etc. However, meals were served on all school days,” the meeting minutes stated.
Goa officials were instructed to inform the project approval board if they find that the supply of meals required is higher than the enrolment approved for central funding. “After detailed discussions, the board approved the proposals of state govt to cover 92,518 students in primary classes, 64,142 students in upper primary classes, and 1,305 students in Bal Vatika schools. Board approval was given for 1,57,965 students to be covered during the financial year 2024-25. However, the board advised Goa govt to send a proposal if there is any increase in the number of eligible students beyond the approval under the scheme,” the minutes of the meeting read.
The chairman of the board also advised Goa officials to ensure that the midday meal menu is devised in such a manner that a variety of food items are prepared to increase students’ interest in the meals. As supplementary nutrition to the midday meal, Goa govt received approval to serve ragi laddu thrice a week for 22 days spread over two months to 94,532 primary school students at an estimated expenditure of Rs 1.4 crore. For this, the state will receive Rs 87.3 lakh as the central share, and Goa will contribute Rs 58.2 lakh.