Srinagar: Reacting swiftly to the news item titled “J&K utilizes only 3% of funds allotted by centre for Mid-Day Meal Scheme”, the Mission Director PM POSHAN, J&K Sunday rebutted the report, saying that it is not based on facts and figures.
“In the news item, it is mentioned that, that the authorities in J&K UT had utilized only 3% of allotted funds, during the year 2021-22 under Mid-Day Meal Scheme. It is not a fact, as during the year 2021-22, the J&K UT has utilized an amount of Rs 8957.36 lacs (98%) against the funds released by centre amounting to Rs 9155.22 lacs. In addition to it, an amount of Rs 5831.23 lacs released in favour of J&K UT on 30-03-2022 as 2nd Installment has also been utilized in full,” a statement issued here said.
The expenditure against the funds under MME also remained 87 %, it said.
It is pertinent to mention here that during 2021-22, 833,000 students (Approx) were provided hot cooked meal during the working days and Food Security Allowance (FSA) during the closure of schools due to COVID-19, was also provided to children in the form of foodgrains at their doorstep or some convenient place, besides crediting of Cooking cost into their (Students/Parents) Bank accounts through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
“Since, Monitoring and awareness generation are important aspects for better implementation of any scheme. Accordingly, District/UT authorities have shown a remarkable achievement during the month of POSHAN MAAH i.e, September 2022 wherein the development of 7347 SNGs has been initiated, with the involvement of children and locals and hope fully, all remaining schools shall also be covered in the next fiscal.”
Parents-Teacher meetings more than 9000 conducted during POSHAN MAAH. Further, to ensure the quality of Meal, the Matri Bhojan Yojna, has been implemented, a unique initiative, under which Mothers of Children are regularly visiting the Schools, to inspect the preparation of Meal on daily basis, turn by turn.
Further, they used to taste the meal as well, the statement said. Regarding, display of food entitlements, it is intimated that entitlement and scale of food grains has been prominently displayed in the schools for awareness. “For more awareness about the scheme Matri bhojan yojana has been introduced from this year and social audit of the scheme is being conducted at panchayat level.”
Mission Dir POSHAN rebutts media reports, terms it baseless
