Mid-day meal in U.P: ‘Sponsors of meals must not provide food but only cash’

Those desirous of feeding students will have to deposit the money with the school management committee (SMC) which will then provide the meal to the students on the desired day

Members of the public will no longer be able to feed students of government primary schools under the mid-day meal scheme. Those desirous of feeding students will have to deposit the money with the school management committee (SMC) which will then provide the meal to the students on the desired day.

For representation only (HT File Photo)

Awadhesh Kumar Tiwari, special secretary, UP government said, “If any member of the community wishes to give cash for ‘Tithi Bhojan’, it will be deposited in the account of mid-day meal fund/school management committee. Food will be arranged accordingly.

“If such a situation arises that more than one person wants to provide food on the same date, it will be decided by the principal/ SMC that by whom the food will be served on that date. The person by whom the food will be served will also be present on that date and will also eat the food himself.”

To ensure the participation of the community in providing nutritious food to students, food will be prepared in the kitchen/premises of the school itself. Under no circumstances, food cooked outside will be distributed in the school. The menu of food to be given under Tithi Bhojan will be decided by the principal/SMC members.

According to instructions issued, in some districts, children are being served food by constructing dining sheds on the school premises. If any member of the public wishes to construct a dining shed when space is available on the school premises, he can get it done through the SMC.

If the person interested wishes to cook such a meal under Tithi Bhojan, which will require additional labour, then for this the additional cook / helper will have to be arranged by the person. Complete details of the food/help provided, such as the name and address of the donor, type/quantity, estimated cost etc will be recorded. Strict compliance of these instructions will be ensured, he said.