the goan I network
VASCO
Eighty-one students from a school in Sada, Vasco, were without mid-day meals for days, as the self help group (SHG) contracted to supply the meals for the school had not renewed its Food Safety and Standard
Act of India (FSSAI) licence, which is mandatory as per regulation laid by the
government.
According to regulations laid by the government under mid-day meal scheme, no student should go without a meal even for a single day.
According to sources in the school, the licence of the self help group which caters to also nine other schools expired on August 19 and the school without knowledge accepted mid-day meals till September 4.
Sources said upon the information that SHG licence had expired, the management immediately stopped accepting mid-day meal and informed the ADEI Mormugao. The school principal sent a letter to the ADEI on September 11 requesting to make alternative arrangements for the mid-day meal to the school.
However, there was no immediate response and the school teachers provided biscuits to the children for some days at their own cost.
The ADEI directed another SHG to supply mid-day meal to the students, which was rejected by the SHG, and the teachers continued to provide biscuits for a few more days. However, this practice by the teachers also stopped, informed sources.
Sources added that another reminder was sent to the ADEI on October 11 informing that the students are not getting mid-day meals. Later, the ADEI inspected the school and also approached the SHG, whose license had been put for renewal. The SHG produced renewal application slip to the ADEI on October 12.
On October 12, the ADEI asked the school to accept meals from the SHG, as it produced the slip of application put up for renewal at the Food and Drugs Administration department.
When contacted, ADEI David Noronha confirmed the incident and said the SHG license was not renewed and the school said it could be inappropriate to accept mid-day meals from the SHG without licence.
"Another SHG, which was asked to supply meals to the school, refused for reasons unknown," said Noronha.
When contacted, an official of the SHG, whose license was under renewal, said they were directed to make some changes in the apparatus being used to cook and also undertake pest control which couldn't be done as they did not had required funds at that moment. "However, licence was renewed on November 6 after which things were sorted."
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Licence of SHG catering to nine other schools expired on August 19
School without knowledge accepts mid-day meals till September 4
On getting info, management stopped accepting mid-day meals, informs ADEI Mormugao
Principal requests ADEI to make alternative arrangements for mid-day meals
No immediate response; school teachers provide biscuits to the children
ADEI directs another SHG to supply mid-day meals, but it refuses
Another reminder sent to ADEI on October 11; ADEI inspects school
SHG produces renewal application slip to ADEI on October 12
ADEI asks school to accept meals from SHG
