Shortcomings persist in implementation of Centrally Sponsored Scheme
Much needed dedicated mgmt structure on papers only
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Nov 15: State Government has failed to honour commitments made before the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development on overcoming shortcomings in the implementation of Mid-Day Meal Scheme, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme aimed at enhancing enrolment, retention and simultaneously improving nutritional levels among the disadvantaged children.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that during the meeting of the Programme Approval Board convened by the Department of School Education and Literacy of the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development on June 20, 2018, the officers of the School Education Department of the J&K Government had made numerous commitments for overcoming shortcomings in the implementation of Mid Day Meal Scheme and showing strict adherence to the guidelines.
In the meeting, the Union Joint Secretary had pointed out that there was no separate Directorate in J&K for the Mid Day Meal Scheme (MDMS) since the inception—2005-06 despite repeated communications in this regard from the Department of School Education and Literacy.
On this aspect, the officials of School Education Department of J&K had conveyed the Union Joint Secretary that Chief Secretary of the State had already given directions for establishment of separate MDM Directorate within a period of three months—on or before September 30, 2018 on the line of other well performing States under MDMS.
However, this commitment has not been honoured by the State Government till date, sources informed, adding “only Director has been appointed that too on ad hoc arrangements without any manpower and infrastructure”.
“Due to absolute non-seriousness on the part of those at the helm of affairs in the School Education Department there is still no dedicated management structure under MDMS in J&K”, sources further informed, adding “due to this teachers remain burdened with the task of implementation of Mid Day Meal Scheme, which is resultantly hampering the teaching activities”.
After being pointed out by the Union Joint Secretary that coverage of children under MDMS in Jammu and Kashmir remains very less, the School Education Department had made commitment to ensure better coverage during the current financial year. “However, no remarkable achievement has been made on this aspect also till date”, sources said while disclosing that in the Programme Approval Board meeting, the Union Ministry had pointed out 65% coverage at primary and 68% at upper primary levels.
It was also pointed out in the Programme Approval Board meeting that out of 11815 kitchen-cum-stores sanctioned between 2006 and 2013, construction of only 7118 kitchen-cum-stores was completed and 4697 kitchen-cum-stores were yet to be constructed. The State’s School Education Department had attributed this to rise in cost of material.
“This issue has also remained unresolved till date as the Finance Department has not responded positively to the request of the School Education Department for grant of differential amount”, sources said, adding “due to this the State is not in a position to construct pending kitchen-cum-stores before December 2018, which otherwise was a commitment before the Union Ministry”.
They further disclosed that State has also failed to honour commitment with regard to procurement of kitchen devices sanctioned during 2014-15 by September 2018.
The Union Ministry had also pointed out that out of 23130 schools in Jammu and Kashmir, only 1302 (6%) were having drinking water filtration facility and in response to this the State Government officials had informed that Chief Secretary has already issued directions to the Secretary, Public Health and Engineering Department to ensure safe drinking water facility.
However, no major headway has been made on this aspect till date and assurances given to the Union Ministry have remained on the papers only, sources further informed.
Similarly, no progress has been made on providing LPG facility to all the schools in the hilly areas for preparation of Mid Day Meal, preparation of Emergency Plan for the Mid Day Meal Scheme and issuance of guidelines to the schools for presence of mothers of children studying in the particular school on rotation basis to taste the meal before serving to the students.
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