NewsKarnataka – Bangalore

Bangalore: Observing the cases of blemishes in the midday meal scheme, the Ministry of Human Resource Development is planning to restructure the management systems and monitoring procedures of the midday meal (MDM) scheme.

Reportedly the cost of monitoring and evaluating the scheme across the country is Rs 236 crore which will be raised to Rs 600 crore for setting up a proper management structure from the financial year 2014-15.

Gaya Prasad the director of Department of School Education and Literacy for Midday Meal Scheme addressing a press meet on Monday January 6 said the ministry was finalizing an emergency medical plan in the event of an  incident like midday meal tragedy that took place in Bihar recently.
 
The upgraded measures will include provision of medical kits and mobile numbers of medical officers and primary health centres to the school authorities. There will also be an  auditing and monitoring system involving school management committees and members of the local community.

The honorarium provided to cooks-cum-helpers is being increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000. Besides, cooking costs will be revised by 7.5 per cent. Funds for procuring kitchen utensils are being revised from Rs 5,000 per school for five years to Rs 15,000 for five years with the maximum limit of Rs 25,000, Prasad said.