PANAJI
After initial delay, the Bengaluru-based Akshay Patra Foundation has commenced the supply of mid-day meals to around 2,000 students from government and government-aided on a trial basis from this month. The service currently covers around 1,500 students from Classes I to VIII and 500 from Classes IX and X.
The schools in Tiswadi, Bardez and Bicholim are presently covered by the Foundation, with plans to extend to another 2,500 students in the coming days as per the contract signed by the Education department.
Speaking to The Goan, Director Education, Shailesh Zingade confirmed that the Foundation has commenced supply of meals to 2,500 students on trial basis from August 4 onwards. “The service is currently on a trial basis. We have signed a contract to supply meals to 5,000 students,” he said.
The foundation's new state-of-the-art kitchen facility, located in Saligao, was inaugurated on March 17 by Chief Minister Pramod Sawant. The foundation was supposed to commence the service from April 1 or June 1; however, the same was delayed.
Zingade noted that the set menu avoids refined flour (maida) and features dishes such as mixed vegetable idlis, vegetable pulao, chole chapati, vegetarian kurma, and potato bhaji — similar to those provided by Self Help Groups (SHGs) and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs).
The State government had in August 2023 finalized Akshay Patra Foundation to supply mid-day meals in those schools, where currently no SGHs are providing meals. State in March, last year signed an agreement with Akshay Patra, which is selected as an alternative to SHGs in case of emergencies.
The foundation will be paid on the lines of SHGs and PTAs that is 9.33 per student per day for 100gms of the meal at the pre-primary (of government and government-aided schools) and primary level, and Rs 12 per student per day for 150gms of the meal for upper primary school students. The department had recently hiked the mid-day meal rates with effect from May 1.
