PANAJI
Not bowing to the pressure tactics by the Self Help Groups (SHGs) and political parties, the State government has selected Bengaluru-based Akshay Patra Foundation to supply mid-day meals in those schools, where the SHGs stops or threatens to stop the meals supply to students. Akshay Patra Foundation is selected as an alternative to SHGs in case of emergencies.
The Directorate of Education (DoE) has renewed a one-year contract with 98 SHGs and eight Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), who are currently supplying the meal to 1.60 lakh students.
The DoE had invited online bid applications from CSO/ NGOs working in India to supply ‘freshly hot cooked mid-day meal to the children of Pre-Primary, Primary, and Upper Primary classes studying in its Government and Government Aided Schools.’ The move had caused turmoil amongst SHGs, who had initially threatened the government to stop the meal supply over pending of bills worth Rs 13 crore.
Speaking to The Goan, Director Education Shailesh Zingade said that the government has selected Akshay Patra Foundation; however no decision has been taken with regards to supply of mid-day meal through them.
“The Chief Minister on the Floor of the House had made it clear that the government will go ahead with the services of the SHGs and there is no question of terminating their services,” he said adding ‘we have also renewed their contract’.
Zingade said that in the new contract, we have included a clause, wherein they can replace the SHGs, if the latter stops or threatens to stop the supply of mid-day meals to students.
The government is on record to state that if any SHG terminates their services prematurely, the Directorate of Education will replace them with new suppliers.
Total five agencies were shortlisted by the DoE that included Bengaluru-based Akshay Patra Foundation, Delhi-based Stri Shakti Foundation Ghanashyam Seva Samiti, Kendriya Bhandar-Mumbai and National Federation of Farmers.
