PANAJI
As the Central government prepares for a comprehensive restructuring of the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) scheme, formerly known as the mid-day meal programme, the Goa government has proposed conducting social audits twice a year instead of annually to strengthen transparency and accountability in implementation.
The State has also sought an enhancement in the honorarium paid to cook-cum-helpers, proposing that the increase be supported through the Management, Monitoring and Evaluation (MME) funds under the scheme.
For the current academic year, a total of Rs 2.84 crore has been earmarked for honorarium payments for 2,840 cook-cum-helpers. Of this, Rs 1.704 crore will be provided as Central assistance, while the State’s share stands at Rs 1.136 crore.
The Union Ministry of Education, in a recent communication to all States, invited suggestions as part of its plan to restructure the PM POSHAN scheme.
The Union Ministry of Education has written to all States seeking suggestions as part of its plan to restructure the PM POSHAN scheme.
Sources said the State has specifically recommended biannual social audits of the scheme for improved oversight. “On average, the State conducts social audits covering 40 to 50 schools annually,” sources added.
Under existing scheme guidelines, social audits must be conducted in at least 20 schools or 2 per cent of schools in each district, whichever is higher, through independent agencies with experience in conducting such audits.
There are currently 1,597 cook-cum-helpers engaged at the primary level and 1,243 at the upper primary level across Goa.
The PM POSHAN scheme provides one hot cooked meal on every school day to children studying in Government and Government-aided schools. During the current academic year, the scheme covers 1.58 lakh students across 1,224 schools, including 2,562 Bal Vatika students, 89,584 primary students, and 64,801 upper primary students. The total number of working days under the scheme is 238.
The Ministry has said it will soon begin the process to extend and restructure the scheme for the next phase under the Expenditure Finance Commission so that it continues smoothly in the coming years.
