No suspension, mid-day meal decision on Wed
GOANEWS DESK, PANAJI | 22 July 2013 20:56 IST
Chief minister Manohar Parrikar today late evening clarified that he will not suspend mid-day meal but revise the system of meal distribution.
While talking to the media persons, he said the modalities would be finalised at a meeting scheduled on Wednesday, 24 July.
He has convened a meeting of department officials to review the mid-day meal scheme, after two incidents of food poisoning occurred in Canacona and Usgao.
“Usgao incident was more of a symptomatic nature than actual food poisoning. But still it is a serious matter which needs review”, said Parrikar.
He ruled out the possibility of suspending the mid-day meal scheme till it is reviewed and new system is laid down as it feeds 2.40 lakh students of Goa.
Regarding the price offered for mid-day meal, the chief minister said he has already doubled it from Rs 2.60 to Rs 5.08 per meal.
“The problem is that the contracts are then sub-contracted and the food is sometimes cooked without maintianing proper hygeine”, he felt.
Personally he opines that the mid-day meals should be managed by the respective schools with quality checks and education department should finance it.
