PANAJI
Aiming at providing quality mid-day meals (MDMs) to schools across the State, self-help groups (SHGs) have demanded logistical support from the State Government. Additionally, they have also demanded a change in the menu stating that children are fed up of eating pav-bhaji every day.
Following extension of the contract to supply MDMs till the end of the current academic year, SHGs held a meeting at Porvorim on Saturday to discuss various issue pertaining to supply and improving the quality of MDMs.
Aiming at providing quality mid-day meals (MDMs) to schools across the State, self-help groups (SHGs) have demanded logistical support from the State Government. Additionally, they have also demanded a change in the menu stating that children are fed up of eating pav-bhaji every day.
Following extension of the contract to supply MDMs till the end of the current academic year, SHGs held a meeting at Porvorim on Saturday to discuss various issue pertaining to supply and improving the quality of MDMs.
/>Speaking to media persons after the meeting, president of Mormugao-based SHG Kanti Khutwalkar said, "Now that the Education Department has extended out contract till the end of the current academic year, we had convened a meeting of all SHGs to see how best we can supply MDMs. Henceforth, We want the MDM scheme to run through the SHGs only."
The SHGs demanded that just like the State Government is ready to provide all the logistical support and grain subsidy to Akshay Patra Foundation, it should also be provided to SHGs.
"To make things easier and faster, the government should provide us logistical support. We need chapatti and idli maker, vegetable cutters, etc. If the get the same machines and financial support from the State Government, then we can we would be definitely in a position to provide better quality MDMs than Akshay Patra Foundation", said Khutwalkar. Stating that children are fed up of eating pav every day, SHGs suggested change in the menu too. "Children do not want to eat pav every day. So we can either provide them idli-sambar, or chapatti bhaji or besan or moong laddoos or even chapatti bhaji. We request the Education Department to take our suggestion and change the menu after Diwali vacation", she said.
Nonetheless, they have also demanded that the rate per MDM be increased to Rs 10 at primary as well as upper primary level in addition to the payment of bills on monthly-basis. The SHGs also complained that they have not been paid their bills since June, this year.
The SHGs demanded that just like the State Government is ready to provide all the logistical support and grain subsidy to Akshay Patra Foundation, it should also be provided to SHGs.
"To make things easier and faster, the government should provide us logistical support. We need chapatti and idli maker, vegetable cutters, etc. If the get the same machines and financial support from the State Government, then we can we would be definitely in a position to provide better quality MDMs than Akshay Patra Foundation", said Khutwalkar. Stating that children are fed up of eating pav every day, SHGs suggested change in the menu too. "Children do not want to eat pav every day. So we can either provide them idli-sambar, or chapatti bhaji or besan or moong laddoos or even chapatti bhaji. We request the Education Department to take our suggestion and change the menu after Diwali vacation", she said.
Nonetheless, they have also demanded that the rate per MDM be increased to Rs 10 at primary as well as upper primary level in addition to the payment of bills on monthly-basis. The SHGs also complained that they have not been paid their bills since June, this year.
