Mid-day meals under scanner after tests of calorific food values
It has come to light that the mid-day meal offered to students at SDMC schools does not meet the minimum calorific requirement.
Close on heels of reports that the Delhi government failed to monitor quality of mid-day meals in schools, the food served to students at South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) schools is under the scanner of SDMC councillors.
It has come to light that the mid-day meal offered to students at SDMC schools does not meet the minimum calorific requirement.
The reports of FICCI research and analysis centre reveal that the 250-gm meal which is being offered to the students is of 337.5 calories, much below the required value of 450 calories.
However, SDMC standing committee chairman Radhey Shyam Sharma said, "The calorific value during the sample test is below the set standard because dry samples were sent for the test."
The leader of opposition in SDMC, Farhad Suri, on Tuesday raised the issue in the standing committee where it was revealed that even though the mid-day meal served to children are lower than the minimum requirement, the vendors are being paid for meals of 450 calories.
Approximately four lakh children study in 589 SDMC schools. The budget allocated for the mid-day meal scheme is between Rs 20-22 crore annually of which the expenditure incurred is usually about Rs 14 crore.
Talking about the various lapse in the scheme Farhad Suri said, "There have been instances where the MCD officials have found lizards and rats in the food provided by these vendors. The food is prepared in unhygienic conditions thereby putting the health of scores of children at risk."