PANAJI
Self-help groups (SHGs) supplying mid-day meals in schools across the State have once again petitioned the State Directorate of Education (DoE) for hiking the rates of mid-day meals.
The demand comes in the backdrop of the increase in rates of pao as well as pulses due to which the SHGs are not finding it feasible to supply meals at rates which are presently being given to them. Most of the SHGs have demanded that rates of mid-day meals for both “ primary as well as upper primary be increased by Rs 2 each.
A delegation of SHGs met Education Director Gajanan Bhat and submitted the memorandum demanding hike in mid-day meal rates.
Speaking to The Goan, President of a SHG from Ponda taluka said, “The baker used to charge us Rs 2.5 as we used to buy pao in bulk. Now that the bakers have decided to increase the rates, we will have to buy the same at Rs 4. After negotiating, the baker has decided to reduce 10 paise per pao and give it at Rs 3.90.”
Jagruti Mahila Mandal in Vasco has been providing mid-day meals to nearly 1200 students of six schools in Vasco. While the SHG manages to provide chapattis for at least two to three days in a week, it provides pao on the remaining days.
“The Education Department wants us to provide different bhaji on all days. Presently, the rates of cereals as well as pao have increased due to which my group incurred a loss of Rs 45,000 last month. It is not feasible for us financially to continue providing mid-day meals with these rates”, said Kanti Khutwalkar.
She, however, mentioned that there are nearly 15 persons dependent on this business including the 10 women in her SHG.
“In addition to the 10 women, we have drivers for the vehicles that transport the meals. Their salaries have to be paid. Additionally, the rice also which was being provided is stopped and instead wheat is being given. We don’t prepare chapattis as it consumes lot of time, labour; but instead we procure it from a supplier. So giving wheat also does not serve the purpose”, she said.
President of another SHG from Sanguem taluka said, “With the increase in the rates of pao, it is really difficult for us to provide mid-day meals. Additionally, the cost of transportation involved is too high. If the government does not act on our demand now, it will be difficult for us to provide mid-day meals.”
The Education Department had issued a circular on October 14 last year with the revised mid-day meal menu and its rates to be implemented from November 1 which have been continued. The revised rates are Rs 5.71 per primary student per day and Rs 6.79 for each upper primary student per day.
The six-day food items to be provided to students is a combination of either Chole Bhaji and Pao/Poli, Masoor Bhaji and Chapati, red Chowli Bhaji and Chapati, Chana Bhaji and Pao/Poli, Chana-Kuleeth Mix Bhaji and Pao/Poli and Chowli-Paute Mix Bhaji and Chapati.
The quantity fixed is 200 grams each to primary students and 260 grams to upper primary students and more importantly, supplied items per day must contain 450 calories and 12 grams of proteins for primary school students and 700 calories and 20 grams of proteins for upper primary/high school students.
