Chandigarh, November 26
Despite drawing flak for unprofessional deliverance of mid-day meals in government schools at several places
the state, Punjab has bagged the second position among states and union territories in the latest report on the scheme by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development.
Punjab, with an aggregate of 76.81 points based on evaluation under five parameters, is a close second to Karnataka (77.79) and way above the national average of 59.
The figures are part of the findings of the latest study report on the mid-day meal scheme (first quarter of 2013) by the Department of School Education and Literacy in the Ministry of Human Resource and Development. The report was received by Punjab recently.
Evaluated for 20 points each under separate heads for average number of beneficiaries, foodgrain quality, fund-utilisation, monitoring and supervision, and infrastructure and health, Punjab scored an aggregate of 76.81 points out of a total of 100. Jharkhand scored a paltry 45.46 (rank 33), Andaman and Nicobar Islands 45.09 (rank 34) and Delhi 44.73 to end up last on the list.
Punjab has done very well on account of utilisation of funds and infrastructure and health. The state secured 16.77 points (out of 20) on account of fund utilisation as against only 1.66 by Delhi. Punjab secured 15.27 (out of 20) on account of health and infrastructure against only 5.41 by Delhi.
Other states in the top five on the table include Daman and Diu (rank 3) with 71 points, Himachal Pradesh (rank 4) with 71 and Bihar (rank 5) with 70 points.
The report, signed by the Additional Secretary (Elementary Education) Dr Amarjit Singh, said, “This has been a trying period for the mid-day meal scheme. Reports of poor mid-day meals from different parts of country need serious introspection.”
The ministry expressed concern over the steep fall in the number of beneficiary students. The figures have been put at approximately seven million fewer than the last quarter of 2012. The review mission made a special mention of mid-day meals being prepared under reeds, which is the perfect breeding place for lizards and cobwebs that could fall into the cooked meals.
The report also mentions state government delay in release of money to schools, which resulted in schools relying on credit from shopkeepers.
At least 44 per cent payments to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) have not been made. The FCI has threatened to release its food supply only on pre-paid basis.
The criteria
Punjab with an aggregate of 76.81 points, based on evaluation under different parameters, is a close second to Karnataka (77.79)
Daman and Diu is ranked third, Himachal Pradesh fourth and Bihar fifth; Delhi is last on the list with 44.73 points
States were evaluated for 20 points each under heads for average number of beneficiaries, foodgrain quality, fund-utilisation, monitoring and supervision, and infrastructure and health
Despite drawing flak for unprofessional deliverance of mid-day meals in government schools at several places
the state, Punjab has bagged the second position among states and union territories in the latest report on the scheme by the Union Ministry of Human Resource Development.
Punjab, with an aggregate of 76.81 points based on evaluation under five parameters, is a close second to Karnataka (77.79) and way above the national average of 59.
The figures are part of the findings of the latest study report on the mid-day meal scheme (first quarter of 2013) by the Department of School Education and Literacy in the Ministry of Human Resource and Development. The report was received by Punjab recently.
Evaluated for 20 points each under separate heads for average number of beneficiaries, foodgrain quality, fund-utilisation, monitoring and supervision, and infrastructure and health, Punjab scored an aggregate of 76.81 points out of a total of 100. Jharkhand scored a paltry 45.46 (rank 33), Andaman and Nicobar Islands 45.09 (rank 34) and Delhi 44.73 to end up last on the list.
Punjab has done very well on account of utilisation of funds and infrastructure and health. The state secured 16.77 points (out of 20) on account of fund utilisation as against only 1.66 by Delhi. Punjab secured 15.27 (out of 20) on account of health and infrastructure against only 5.41 by Delhi.
Other states in the top five on the table include Daman and Diu (rank 3) with 71 points, Himachal Pradesh (rank 4) with 71 and Bihar (rank 5) with 70 points.
The report, signed by the Additional Secretary (Elementary Education) Dr Amarjit Singh, said, “This has been a trying period for the mid-day meal scheme. Reports of poor mid-day meals from different parts of country need serious introspection.”
The ministry expressed concern over the steep fall in the number of beneficiary students. The figures have been put at approximately seven million fewer than the last quarter of 2012. The review mission made a special mention of mid-day meals being prepared under reeds, which is the perfect breeding place for lizards and cobwebs that could fall into the cooked meals.
The report also mentions state government delay in release of money to schools, which resulted in schools relying on credit from shopkeepers.
At least 44 per cent payments to the Food Corporation of India (FCI) have not been made. The FCI has threatened to release its food supply only on pre-paid basis.
The criteria
Punjab with an aggregate of 76.81 points, based on evaluation under different parameters, is a close second to Karnataka (77.79)
Daman and Diu is ranked third, Himachal Pradesh fourth and Bihar fifth; Delhi is last on the list with 44.73 points
States were evaluated for 20 points each under heads for average number of beneficiaries, foodgrain quality, fund-utilisation, monitoring and supervision, and infrastructure and health
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