PANAJI
The Bengaluru-based Akshaya Patra Foundation is likely to commence supply of mid-day meals to around 5,000 students on a trial basis in the next six months.
The State government earlier this month finalized Akshaya Patra Foundation to supply mid-day meal in those schools, where the SHG stops or threatens to stop the meal supply to students. Akshaya Patra is set to have been selected as an alternative to SHGs in case of emergencies.
“We have not taken any decision for now. But the Foundation has asked for six months time to set up the kitchen and other infrastructure,” Director Education Shailesh Zingade said.
He said that 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.
Sources however confirmed that on a trial basis, the government will ask the Foundation to supply meals to around 5,000 students. “The decision as to which schools is not taken. But the government wants to try the quality of food and whether it is acceptable among students,” sources said.
The Directorate of Education (DoE) has renewed a one-year contract with 98 SHGs and eight Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), which 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 Govt and Govt Aided Schools.’
A total of five agencies were shortlisted by the DoE that included Bengaluru-based Akshaya Patra Foundation, Delhi-based Stri Shakti Foundation Ghanashyam Seva Samiti, Kendriya Bhandar-Mumbai and National Federation of Farmers.
