Oppn, Goa CM Pramod Sawant clash over midday meal contract to Akshaya Patra

Porvorim: Chief minister Pramod Sawant and opposition MLAs clashed in the assembly on Wednesday over the allotment of a contract to supply midday meals for 5,000 students in North Goa to Akshaya Patra.

Sawant later said that Akshaya Patra will also be awarded the contract to supply another 5,000 meals in South Goa, if there is demand from schools and parents from the district.

Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai said that Akshaya Patra is facing charges of diversion of grains in other parts of the country.

He also said that they are known to cook meals without garlic or onion, which may not be suitable to the Goan palate.

The CM said that social audit in Goa and complaints from schools have shown poor quality meals supplied by women’s self-help groups in many parts of Goa.

“When I asked how many Goans are working with Akshaya Patra. Govt has said details are not available. While self-help groups were given contracts for six months’, Akshaya Patra was given a contract of 20 years. Why? The strategy is to give big schools to Akshaya Patra and once it is not feasible for self-help groups, they will have to leave. Then you will say they left on their own,” the Fatorda MLA said.

Though Sawant said not even one self-help group has been asked to leave due to the entry of Akshaya Patra, Sardesai alleged that many have already received calls to leave. The CM said no Goan self-help group or organisation had bid for the tender where Akshaya Patra won. He said no self-help group has the capacity to even supply meals to 2,000 persons.

Leader of the opposition Yuri Alemao said the Akshaya Patra move goes against govt’s focus areas of Swayampurna, Nari Shakti and vocal for local.

The CM said irregularities were seen in operations of several self-help groups with some operating with only two members from the same family. Benaulim MLA Venzy Veigas said that contracts to self-help groups helps the local economy too as they buy ingredients locally.

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