No shortage of funds for PM POSHAN, mid-day meals not stopped: Bengal Education Minister Dipak Barman
Dismissing reports that mid-day meals were being stopped at schools in Bengal, School Education Minister Dipak Barman stated that there was no shortage of funds for the PM POSHAN scheme.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, Barman said chief minister Suvendu Adhikari was personally monitoring the implementation of the PM POSHAN scheme and that strict action would be taken if students’ nutrition was affected.
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The minister said the scheme was now being managed through a new app introduced by the Central government.
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“There had been a delay of a few days during the transition, but the situation had now been resolved. Funds had been released at all levels. If we get any information regarding non-receipt of funds, we will definitely examine,” Barman said.
“Some rumours are being spread about PM POSHAN that the mid-day meal is being stopped or that money for the mid-day meal is not coming. In reality, there is no such thing,” Barman said.
He added that the department had sent additional funds for the mid-day meal programme to the districts. “So far I know the money had already reached schools,” he said.
However, he said, there could be isolated cases among around 81,000 schools where funds had not reached but there the issue is technical.
Giving a detailed account, the minister said Rs 424.4334 crore had been allocated up to November for cooks and helpers, while Rs 573 crore had been allocated for cooking costs.
“Rice has also been supplied across the state. So far the department has released a total of around Rs 997 crore for the scheme,” he said.
The minister also said the department issued its final order on Thursday and announced revised honorariums for several staff categories.
According to him, the honorarium for chief expanders would be increased to Rs 6,000, management staff would receive Rs 7,000 to Rs 10,000, Sikshabandhus Rs 9,954 to Rs 14,954, special staff Rs 14,954 to Rs 19,954, and assistants and female assistants Rs 11,941 to Rs 16,941.
Barman said the revised payments would take effect from October 1 and that honorariums or allowances were increased ahead of the Durga Puja period.
On reports of mid-day meals being discontinued at some higher secondary schools, Barman said providing meals for a month was not impossible.
He said the department was looking into the reasons behind any interruption, noting that shopkeepers in rural and urban areas often extend credit to schools to help maintain supplies.
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- Bengal mid day meals
- Dipak Barman
- POSHAN scheme
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