PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday warned that the government would cancel the mid-day meal contract of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) or Mahila Mandals if the meals provided did not meet the standards set by the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE).
Responding to a calling attention motion, Sawant assured that no SHGs would be removed from supplying mid-day meals to schoolchildren, as allocated earlier by the Directorate of Education.
He clarified that the government has not yet finalised the schools in North Goa where meals will be provided by the Bangalore-based Akshaya Patra Foundation. Sawant, who also holds the Education portfolio, said the foundation would serve meals to 5,000 students, including those in Classes IX and X. He added that extending this service to South Goa would depend on demand from schools and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs).
Opposition MLAs had raised concerns about the government’s decision to involve Akshaya Patra, highlighting the worries of Goan Women Self-Help Groups that currently supply mid-day meals.
The opposition feared that the government might gradually replace SHGs with Akshaya Patra, removing them from the scheme, which serves over 1.61 lakh students.
“No SHGs or Mahila Mandals will be discontinued from supplying mid-day meals to schoolchildren, as allocated earlier by the Directorate of Education,” the Chief Minister assured.
The Chief Minister further said that the government has cleared all pending dues of SHGs up to October 2024 and is also settling their COVID-19-related bills. He revealed that when the contract bids were invited, no non-profit organisation or SHG from Goa applied, and all five bidders were from outside the state.
Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao criticised the move, arguing that the government should have focused on improving the existing system instead of bringing in a new organisation.
“The government needs to strengthen the SHG model and resolve issues… If standards are not maintained, action can be taken… These are our people, and we must protect and support them,” he said.
GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai questioned Akshaya Patra’s accountability. Citing an Enforcement Directorate report, he claimed that at least half of the foundation’s 52 kitchens were involved in diverting food grains and funds and that there was a lack of transparency in fund management.
