MID-DAY MEAL

A
TERM PAPER
SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE DEGREE OF
BACHELOR IN SOCIAL
SCIENCES
2011
(HONOURS SCHOOL)

SUPERVISED
SUBMITTED BY
Mr.
Khushmeet Kaur

BY
Nirmal

Singh
Pall

avi
San
deep Kaur
Satv
ir Kaur

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES

GURU NANAK DEV UNIVERSITY
AMRITSAR
1

INTRODUCTION
Over the last 15 years, India has posted un-precedent economic growth rates . Only
China has grown faster. India has emerged as one of the most important rising global
powers , but it also has one-third of the worlds undernourished children and one of
the highest rates of child under nutrition in the World. Under nutrition causes 35%
of under-5 child deaths, impairs learning outcomes, increases the likelihood of being
poor and is linked to illness or death during pregnancy. The future of India lies in
the health of her children. The latest Human Development Report shows that 47 per
cent children are underweight. Over 34 per cent of Indians live on less than Rs 40 a
day. The mid-day meal (MDM) scheme is thus a necessity. It is an investment the country
makes in the health of its children. The Mid Day Meal is the worlds largest school
feeding programme reaching out to about 12 crore children in over 12.65 lakhs
schools/EGS centres across the country. In response to this pressure, and to the court
orders, all state governments have initiated mid-day meal programmes. Today, with
more than 100 million children covered, Indias mid-day meal programme is by far
the largest nutrition programme in the world.1

On 28 November 2001, the Supreme Court directed state governments to introduce

cooked mid-day meals in all government and government-assisted primary schools
within six months . This landmark order was one of the first achievements of the
right to food campaign. The order was followed by organised public pressure for the
1 http://www.educationforallindia.com
2

introduction of cooked mid-day meals in primary schools, e.g. in the form of a

country-wide "day of action on mid-day meals" in April 2002. The quality of mid-day
meals, however, varies a great deal between different states. Some states, notably in
southern India, have reasonably good mid-day meal programmes . Others initially
introduced ramshackle mid-day meals on a shoestring budget, mainly to the Supreme
Court. The campaign focuses not only on the implementation of Supreme Court orders
but also on quality issues .2
HISTORY
Free mid-day meals for school students were first introduced in a Japanese private
school in the late 1800s , in Brazil in 1938 and in the United States in 1946 . With
evidently satisfactory results. The scheme , first introduced in the southern state of Tamil
Nadu way back in 1956 , has proved remarkably successful in improving school
enrolment in that state . Though partially launched in 1956 , the mid-day meal
programme was given full shape and form by the states actor-turned chief minister
the late M.G. Ramachandran in 1982 .
There is an interesting story behind the effort of Tamil Nadu C.M. K. Kamraj for Mid Day
Meal .
Once Tamil Nadu s former Chief Minster K. Kama raj saw a boy near the town of
Cheranmahadevi herding livestock, he asked him ,
What are you doing with these cows ? Why didnt you go to school ?

2 http://www.righttofoodindia.org/mdm/
3

The child immediately retorted , If I go to school , will you give me food to eat ? I
can learn only if I eat . " 3
Unknowingly , this young boy had touched on a critical problem facing the nations
children : they cannot learn on a hungry stomach . His simple response sparked a
series of events which gave rise to the Mid-day Meal Scheme as it is known today .
Started in the 1960s in Tamil Nadu , the program was set up to reduce hunger and
encourage universal primary education .Various schemes were implemented in the
primary education sector by the government to reach the disadvantaged population .
Access to Primary Education was universalised through flagship programmes of govt.
Like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan , however , despite this , a few children are still deprived
of Primary Education due to inability of their parents to send them to schools
because of their poor economical status . For , these parents , sending their children to
school means not only incurring extra financial burden but also depriving them of
money which their children would have earned otherwise by doing labour . That being
the attitude of these economically backward parents , one may , perhaps , to motivate
the parents and children was to bring their children to school by providing food and
nutritional needs4 . Government of India , on Oct. 2, 1995 , launched the scheme of
National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education also known as MidDay Meal Programme . Under this scheme , students of primary classes were to be
provided wheat @3 KG per student per month ( for 10 months in a year ) subject to
80% attendance . Meanwhile , the apex court also intervened and vide its orders dated
28th November , 2001 the supreme court directed :-

3 http://www.middaymeal.com/index.html
4 http.//www.righttofoodindia.org/mdm/
4

1- We direct the State Government/Union Territories to implement the Mid-Day

Meal scheme by providing every child in every Government and Government Assisted
primary schools with a prepared Mid-Day Meal with minimum contents of 300
calories of energy and 8-12 grams of protein each day of school for a minimum of
200 days . Those Governments providing dry rations instead of cooked meals must
within 3 months start providing cooked meals in all Government Aided primary
schools in all half the districts of the state ( in order of poverty ) and must within a
further period of 3 months extend the provisions of cooked meals to the remaining
parts of the state . 2- We direct the Union of India and the FCI to ensure
Provision of fair average quality grain for the scheme on time . The State/Union
Territories and the FCI are directed to do joint inspection of food-grains . If the
Food-grains is found , on joint inspection , not to be of fair average quality , it will
be replaced by the FCI prior to lifting .
Annual Work Plan & Budget 2011-12
Mid-Day-3 Meal Scheme, Punjab

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME

Education plays a vital and important role in fulfilling the basic needs of a common
man viz. Food, shelter and clothing. The main aim of Education is to prepare and
develop the child physically , mentally and spiritually to lead a quality life . Education
is a process through which a child is made capable to attain the necessary
competencies and skills to face the challenges in life to survive , and to make struggle
for existence . Four important factors are identified for achieving the goal of
Education for all . These are Access to Education , Enrolment of children , and
5 http://www.middaymeal.com/index.html
5

Retention of the enrolled children and Achievement . 6 Mid Day Meal scheme is an
effort to achieve and facilitate all the four above said objectives .
The main objectives of the programme are :
a). To increase enrolment , retention and to tone up the learning abilities of the
beneficiaries , especially of children belonging to poor and down trodden sections of
the society ;
b). To provide nutritious meal to the school going children to achieve the goal of
Healthy mind in Healthy body ;
c). To promote friendship and feelings of common brotherhood among the children
belonging to different caste , colour and creed by providing meals to them together
and also to increase their retention in schools .

CAUSES , ROLE OF ISKCON

Hunger obstructs education as children are forced to leave schools and take up menial
jobs . Lack of education curtails opportunities for development and leads to the
vicious cycle of poverty and hunger . Education empowers a child to explore his
potentials and earn a decent living and live a respectable life in our society.
Malnutrition leads to many diseases in elementary age groups . Major nutritional
deficiencies affecting young children in India are
(1) Protein-Energy Malnutrition .
(2) Iron Deficiency Anaemia .

6 http://www.education.nic.in
6

(3) Vitamin A Deficiency .

(4) Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD).7
Thus Education (AIE) Scheme . Central Assistance under the scheme consisted of the
following :
( a ) free supply of food grains @ 100 grams per child per school day .
( b ) Major Nutritional Deficiencies among Children of subsidy for transportation of
Food grains up to a maximum of Rs.50 per quintal .8
To expand this project to benefit underprivileged children in other parts of the
country , ISKCON has formed a non-profit , non-religious , non-sectarian charitable
trust registered under The Bombay Public Trusts Act , 1950 . Named ISKCON FOOD
RELIEF FOUNDATION , the trust has been organising Midday Meal Program in Mira
Bhayander , Palghar , Nigdi , Tardeo , Juhu , Wada , Delhi , Faridabad , Noida ,
Gurgaon , Haridwar , Jamshedpur , Kurukshetra , Panipat , Palwal , Tirupati , Nellore ,
Rajahmundry , Kadapa , Ranga Nara Gadda , Vishakhapatnam , Jaipur , Guwahati and
Ujjain .

ISKCON FOOD RELIEF FOUNDATION , has resolved to liberate the underprivileged

from this vicious cycle by feeding the poor with sanctified and nutritious food .
In just three years since it was founded , the program has scaled to provide over
1,00,000 hygienic and nutritious meals every day through an extremely cost-effective

7 Zaidi Annie , Frontline 22(5) Food for Education (Feb.26, 2005)

8 Khera Reetika , Economic and Political Weekly 4742 4745, Mid Day Meal in
primary schools (Nov 18,2006)
7

program . MIDDAY MEAL has demonstrated and is now showcased as an operating

model that can strategically address two of the most pressing problems for poor
children in India : hunger and Education :

Their goal is to scale the program to serve over 5,00,000 children per day by 2010 .
They believe success on that scale will offer a model of replication by other
developmental

organizations

and

State

Governments

across

India .

To many of our children , the MIDDAY MEAL is the only complete meal that they
have access to during the entire day . This has produced dramatic results in terms of
enrolment , attendance , and. attention spans .9

EFFECTS

Mid Day meals have big effects on school participation , not just in terms of
getting more children enrolled in the registers but also in terms of regular

pupil attendance on a daily basis .

Mid Day Meal helps overcome classroom hunger as many children come to

school
Empty stomach or , those coming from distant places , again feel hungry on

reaching school , and thus cannot concentrate on studies .

Mid day meal acts as a regular source of supplementary nutrition for

children , Which facilitates their healthy growth .

Mid day meal provides an opportunity to impart good habits to children (such
as washing ones hands before and after eating) and educates them about the
importance of clean water , good hygiene and other related matters .

9 http://www.righttofoodindia.org/mdm/
8

Mid day meal also helps in spreading egalitarian values , as children from
various social backgrounds learn to sit together and share a common meal . In
particular , mid day meal can help to break the barriers of caste and class
among school . Appointing cooks from Dalit communities is another way of

teaching children to overcome caste prejudices .

The gender gap in school participation tends to narrow , as the Mid Day Meal
Scheme helps erode the barriers that prevent girls from going to school . Mid
Day Meal Scheme also provide a useful source of employment for women ,
and helps liberate working women from the burden of cooking at home during
the day . In these and other ways , women and girl children have a special

stake in Mid Day Meal.

Mid day meal helps in improving the quality of education/ learning levels of
the children . Many children reach school on an empty stomach . Even children
who have had a meal before they leave for school get hungry by the afternoon
and are not able to concentrate . After taking mid day meal , such children are
able to concentrate better on classroom activities .10

ROLE OF MOTHERS :
Mothers of children studying in schools can help supervise the preparation and
serving of meal to children . Scheme has generated employment opportunities for
women as cooks /helpers . 11
EFFECT ON GIRLS:
Gender gap in school participation tends to narrow , as the Mid Day Meal Scheme
helps erode the barriers that prevent girls from going to school . Mid Day Meal
Scheme also provide a useful source of employment for women , and helps liberate
10 http://www.causes.com/causes/274283 midday meal about
11 The Times of India .Parents Lap up Mid Day Meal in School (dec. 3,2001)
9

working women from the burden of cooking at home during the day . In these and
other ways , women and girl children have a special stake in Mid Day Meal
Scheme . All children , including those belonging to minority community , studying in
classes I to VIII in Government , local body and Government aided schools and in
Centres run under EGS and AIE Schemes are provided mid day meal . Children
studying in the recognized Madaras are also included for coverage under the
scheme .12

MAJOR DIRECTIONS ISSUED BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE

OVER ALL DEVELOPMENT AND VARIOUS DEPRIVED SECTORS OF OUR
NATION
All Chief Secretaries/Administrators are directed to file compliance report in

regard to directions No.1 on or before September,15, 2004 .

The conversion costs for a cooked meal , under no circumstances , shall be

recovered from the children or their parents .

In appointment of cooks and helpers , preference shall be given to Dalits ,

Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes .

The Central Government shall make provisions for construction of kitchen
sheds and shall also allocate funds to meet with the conversion costs of foodgrains into cooked mid-day meals . It shall also periodically monitor the low

take off of the food-grains .

In respect of the State of Uttaranchal , it has been represented that the
scheme is being implemented in all the schools . It would be open to the
Commissioners to inspect and bring it to the notice of the Court , if it is
otherwise .

12 Dreze jean , Mid Day Meal and Childrens rights , Feb. 28,2004
10

In drought affected areas , mid-day meal shall be supplied even during

summer vacations .
An affidavit shall be filed by the Government of India , within three months ,
stating as to when it is possible to extend the scheme upto 10 th Standard in
compliance with the announcement made by the Prime Minister . The affidavit
shall also state the time frame within which the Government proposes to
implement the recommendations of Abhijit Sen Committee in respect whereof
the modalities have been discussed with the concerned Ministries and Planning

Commission .
Attempts shall be made for

better

infrastructure , improved facilities (safe

drinking water etc. ) , closer monitoring ( regular inspection etc. ) and other
quality safeguards as also the improvement of the contents of the meal so as
to provide nutritious meal to the children of the primary schools .13

PROVISIONS
Under MDMS, two types of costs are involved : fixed costs ,i.e. one time expenses on
infrastructure and equipment such as cooking sheds , gas stove, storage facilities ,
utensils, etc. And recurring costs , i.e. cost of grain , conversion costs , salaries , health
supplements , transport etc. Fixed costs are expenses

that are borne by the

government . However , by virtue of its April , 2004 order , the Supreme Court had
directed the Central Government to make provisions for the construction of cooking
sheds and further directions were made to ensure better attempts towards provision of
drinking water facilities etc. 14
13 http://righttofoodindia.org/mdm/
14 http://www.educationforallindia.com
11

1. Under the 2004 revised guidelines as well , states have been permitted to meet
certain

requirements

(besides

food-grains

and

transport

subsidy) such

as

construction of kitchen sheds , creation of drinking water facility and purchase

of utensils under MDMS from various other centrally assisted schemes in order
to enable them to implement the programme better.
2. The 6th report of the Supreme Court Commissioners states that while schools
have on the whole been provided with cooking utensils , the provision of
cooking sheds remain poor and is mostly below 50% except in the states of
Tamil Nadu and Uttaranchal .
3. The status of provision of drinking water too , remains poor . Ultimately , the
burden is poor upon the state governments to fund infrastructure and other
recurring costs under the MDMS .
4. Central assistance is provided only to a limited extent . It is expected that
states will invest in the scheme over and above that what is provided by the
Centre. Admittedly , there is variation in unit costs of mid-day meals across
states . For instance , these costs are not particularly high in Tamil Nadu and
Karnataka as compared to other states such as Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh .
However , budgetary allocations vary and Karnataka spends more than twice as
much as Rajasthan.
5. However , Dreze (a policymaker) states that it is worth nothing that mid-day
meal schemes are not a major burden

on public finances . Taking Karnataka s

relatively high unit costs as a benchmark , the recurring cost of a national mid-day
meal programme covering all children enrolled in government and government-assisted
schools would add-up to approximately Rs. 2,900 crore per year . This is just a little
over 0.1 percent (one-tenth) of India s GDP , or 10 percent of the current food

12

subsidy . The price tag seems small , bearing in mind the wide-ranging social benefits
of MDM programmes.15

Evaluation studies conducted by Independent Agencies

Independent evaluation studies on the Mid-Day Meal have been conducted by

different agencies in various parts of the country , which find inter alia enhancement
in enrollment and attendance . The studies include :
(a). Cooked Mid-Day meal programme in West Bengal - A study of Birbhum
district . Professor Amartya Sens Pratichi Research Team (2005) . The study
shows that Mid Day Meal has made positive intervention in universalisation of
primary education by increasing enrollment and attendance . The increase has
been more marked with respect to girls and children belonging to SC/ST
categories . The study also points out that Mid Day Meal scheme has contributed
to reduction in teacher absenteeism and a narrowing of social distances .
(b). Situation Analysis of Mid- Day Meal Programme in Rajasthan . University of
Rajasthan and UNICEF (2005) : states that the introduction of menu based mid
Day meal has positively impacted enrollment and attendance of children . It has
Contributed to social equity , as children sit together and share a common meal
Irrespective of caste and class .16 It has further contributed to gender equity in that it
Has provided employment to women .
(c). Mid day Meal in Madhya Pradesh : Samaj Pragati Sahyog , 2005 : Undertook a
Survey in 70 most backward villages . The findings show that there was a 15%
15 http://www.middaymeal.com/index.html
16 Zaidi Annie , Frontline 22(5) Food for Education(Feb.26,2005)
13

Increase in enrollment , which was more marked in the case of SC and ST children
(43%).
(d). Mid Day Meals : A Comparison of the Financial and Institutional Organization of
the Programme in Two States , Farzana Afridi ; April EPW (2005) : The
implementation of the programme is improving , but a lot more needs to be done .
The new initiative of Suruchi Bhojan is more attractive than the earlier Daliya
Programme .
(e) . Mid-Day Meal Scheme in Delhi A functioning programme Anuradha De ,
Claire Noronha and Meera Samson ; CORD ; (2005) . Surveyed 12 MCD schools
School children in all schools were receiving food ; impact of attendance more
Likely on girls , who often come to school without breakfast .
(f) . Report on Akshara Dasoha scheme of Karnataka " , Dr. Rama Naik ; University
of Dharwad (2005) . Has reported sharp rise in enrollment , particularly in rural areas .
The programme has had an impact on teacher absenteeism : 64% schools stated
That teacher absenteeism has been reduced .17
(g). National Council of Educational Research & Trainings latest Report (2005) Learning Achievement of Students at the End of Class-V has inferred that
children covered under mid day meal have higher achievement level than those
who were not covered under it .
(h). Mid Day Meal Scheme in Karnataka

A study

by National Institute of

Public Cooperation & Child Development , Annual Report 2005-06 :- Mid Day Meal
improved the school attendance in majority of the schools and reduced
absenteeism . It has fostered a sense of sharing and fraternity and paved the way
for social equity .
17 Economic Times ,Mid day Meal Quota raised for fake students, 2011-o2-09
14

(i). Mid Day Meal Scheme in Madhya Pradesh A study - 2007 by National
Institute of Public Cooperation & Child Development , Indore :- School enrolment
indicated marked improvement in enrolment pattern of children in primary
school . Mid Day Meal Scheme undoubtedly resulted in increased school
attendance and facilitated in retention of children in school for a longer period .
The Scheme has played a crucial role in reducing drop out , especially among
Girls . Parents viewed that the mid day meal had reduced the burden of providing
One time meal to their children and considered it as a great support to their
Families . Teachers opined that mid day meal aided in active learning of children ,
Which indirectly improved their academic performance . The Scheme has played a
Significant role in bringing social equity .18
OVERALL QUALITY OF THE SCHEME IN DIFFERENT STATES
The regional contrast is not only in terms of the extent of implementation of the
MDMS but also as to the overall quality of the scheme as well- the quality of meals
, the regularity of serving them , the infrastructure for implementing the scheme etc .
The regional disparities in the opinion of the researcher , can be primarily attributed to
differences with respect to two factors:(i)political will and community support and
(ii)comparative costs and budgetary allocations .19
The experiments in Tamil Nadu with school lunch programmes is the oldest in the
country and has enjoyed tremendous success and political support . Today , Tamil Nadu
18 Rajan S. Irudaya and A. Jayashankar , EPW Impact of Mid Day Meal
Programme on primary Education,(oct. 24-31,1992)
19 http://educationforallindia.com
15

has one of the most efficiently organised school lunch systems in India . Mid-day
meals are provided across primary schools in Tamil Nadu every day of the year
including holidays . In fact , at places it has gone beyond the scope of the mandated
coverage to by allowing the destitute and the aged to partake of the mid-day meal
in school . In Tamil Nadu , mid-day meals seem to enjoy all-round support from the
village community . Even teachers , who tend to have various reservations in other
states , strongly support the programme . Tamil Nadu is the living example of what
can be achieved when quality safeguards are in place . Political will is the key in
many instances

of successful implementation of the scheme and reze cites the

example of a state like Rajasthan which is widely perceived to belong to the

infamous BIMARU set . In Rajasthan , the state government took an early decision to
implement the Supreme Court order of Nov. 2001 . In fact , it was the first sates to
do so , among so where no mid-day meal scheme was in place at that time . A high
level monitoring committee closely supervised the programme from the beginning ,
and the progress of the

mid-day meals was also watched by the right to food

campaign . The timely delivery of good quality grain , even in remote schools ,
seems to be a reflection of this unambiguous commitment to mid-day meals . However
, more political will cannot steer the MDMS to success . Political will must necessarily
translate into adequate budgetary allocation. This is the main problem in Rajasthan
where , in spite of the state governments declared commitment to mid day meals ,
money is too short as a result of which basic facilities are sorely lacking and the
quality and variety of meals is unsatisfactory.20

20 Origin and Growth of School Lunch Programme in Tamil Nadu at

www.education.nic.in./cd50years.htm
16

MONITORING MECHANISM
The department of School Education and Literacy, Ministers of Human Resources
Development has prescribed comprehensive and elaborate mechanism for monitoring and
supervision of the Mid Day Meal Scheme. The monitoring mechanism include the following:
Arrangements for local level monitoring Representatives of Gram Panchayats/Gram Sabhas,
members of VECs, PTAs , SDMCs as well as other Communities are required to monitor the
(i) regularity and wholesomeness of the Mid day Meal served to the children (ii) cleanliness
in cooking and serving of the Mid-day Meal (iii) Time lines in procurement of good quality
ingredients , fuel etc. (iv) Implementation of varied menu (v) Social and gender equality .
This is required to be done on daily basis .21
DISPLAY OF INFORMATION UNDER RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT
In order to ensure that there is transparency and accountability, all schools and centres where
the programme is being implemented are required to display information suo-moto. This
includes information on
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)
(vi)

Quality of food grains received, data receipt

Quantity of food- grains utilised.
Other ingredients purchased , utilized
Number of children given mid-day meal
Daily menu
Roster of community members involved in the programme22

21 India 2009
22 http://righttofoodindia.org/mdm/
17

INSPECTIONS BY STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICERS

Officers of the State Government / UTs belongs to the department of revenue , rural
development , education and other related sectors , such as women and child development ,
food , health are also required to inspect schools and centres where the programme is being
implemented . It has been recommended that 25% of primary schools/ EGS and AIE centres
are visited every quarter.

RESPONSIBILITY OF FOOD CORPORATION OF INDIA (FCI)

The FCI is responsible for the continuous availability of adequate food grains in its depots. It
allows lifting of food grains for any month / quarter up to one month in advance so that
supply chain of food grains remains uninterrupted. For the NP-NSPE, 2006, the FCI is
mandated to issue food- grains of best available quality, which will in any case be at least of
fair average quality. The FCI appoints a Nodal Officer for each state to take care of various
programmes in supply of food-grains under the MDM programme.
The District Collector/CEO of Zillah Panchayat ensures that food-grains of at least FAQ are
issued by FCI after joint inspection by a team consisting of FCI and the nominee of the
collector and chief Exicutive Officer , District Panchayat and confirmation by them that the
grain confronts at least FAQ norms .23

23 India 2009
18

MONITORING BY INSTITUTIONS OF SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH

41 instituitions of social science research, indentified for monitoring the Sarva Shiksha
Abhiyan, are also interested with the task of monitoring the Mid-day Meal scheme.

PROGRAMME INTERVENTION AND COVERAGE:

To achieve the objectives a cooked mid day meal with nutritional content as shown in table
below:
Nutritional content

Norm as per NP-NSPE,2004

Revised Norm as per NSNSPE,2006

Calories

300

450

Proteins

8-12

12

Micronutrients

Not prescribed

Adequate

quantities

micronutrients

like

of
iron,

folic acid, vitamin-A etc.

EXTENSION TO UPPER PRIMARY STAGE

The Finance Minister has announced in the Union Budget 2007 -2008 that the Mid-day meal
scheme will be extended to cover children in upper primary classes in 3527 Educationally
Background Blocks in 2007-2008. A budget provision of Rs. 7324 crores has been made for
this purpose , representing 35% increase over the budget 2006-2007.

19

CRITICISM
Perhaps the biggest problem that plagues universalisation of the MDMS across all
Indian states is the stark disparity in the manner and the extent to which the scheme
has been initiated and continued in these states . In September , 2005 , the apexcourt imposed deadline for implementation in their November , 2001 order lapsed but
the supreme court commissioners in their 6 th Report ( Dec. , 2005 ) reported that in
September 2005 , the MDM continues to be a scheme in the nascent stages of its
implementation for a larger number of states , with large gaps in the implementation
of the scheme . The Commissioners stated that they received contrary reports from
state and UT Governments and the reports received from civil society organisations
indicate cases where the Department of Elementary Education and Literacy (Do EEL)
and Ministry of Human Resource Development (Mo HRD) on the nationwide status of
implementation of the scheme was also very unsatisfactory .
The Commissioners report that the orders of the Supreme Court continue to be
ignored and flouted with much impunity, especially in a matter that involves the
entitlement of every school going child to basic nutrition , by an entitlement created
by the Supreme Court itself . It details Assam , Manipur and Himachal Pradesh as the
worst offending states . Others like the states of Jammu and Kashmir , Jharkhand,
Karnataka and Punjab reported only partial implementation . Several states and Union
Territories

failed

to

respond

to

the

request

for

information

regarding

the

implementation of the mid-day meal scheme . Amongst States that have responded to
the Commissioners requests for information , eight States and two UTs have reported
full implementation of the scheme .24
24 Dreaze Jean and Goyel Aprajita , EPW 4673,Future of Midday Meals(nov. 1
2003)
20

In an exemplary recommendation , the report proposes that notice be issued by the

apex-court , to the Chief Secretaries of each of these State Governments , about why
contempt proceedings should not be instituted against them , and to indicate a time
frame for full coverage of every child in every school , with reasons for failure to
comply with the Supreme Court orders so far . This seems like a sound proposal and
will serve as a wake-up call for the defaulting states .25
CONCLUSION
The experience so far clearly shows that mid day meals have much to contribute to
the well-being and future of Indian children ,. As things stand mid-day programmes
have many flaps , but the way to go is forward and not backward . With adequate
resources and quality safeguards ,mid-day meals can play a major role in improving
school attendance , eliminating classroom hunger and fostering social equit .Somqe
suggestions with respect to MDMS are as follows :
(1) There is a need to bring about a conceptual change in understanding the interplay
between the MDMS and the universalisation of education ( or the realisation of right
+to education ). The emphasis and efforts under the scheme should go beyond merely
ensuring provision of meals and increase in enrolment , but should be directed
towards guaranteeing and realizing for every child of school going age , his or her
right or education .
(2) Greater financial allocations , qualitative improvements and increased commitment
and dedication towards full implementation of the MDMS are the need of the hour .
The states which are guilty of flouting the direction of the Supreme court should be
brought to task . It is only when the universalisation of mid-day meal meals
25 http://legalsutra.org/1828mid-day-meal-scheme-polity-and-reality
21

programme for the primary classes is achieved can the beginning for extending the
scheme to higher classes be made .
(3) Greater community participation , involvement of NGOs and other social
organisations and adopting Public-Private models of implementing MDMS .

22

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Zaidi Annie , Frontline 22(5) Food for Education (Feb 26 ,2005)
Dreze Jean and Goyel Aparajita, Economic and Political weekly 4673 Future of Mid day
meals38(44) (November 1,2003)
Khera Reetika, Economic and Political Weekly 4742,4745 Midday meal in primary
school41(46) (Nov 18,2006)
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Indian express ,Sinha Chinki , Sunday,August 21,2011 New Delhi

Websites:http://www.causes.com/causes/274283
www.education.nic.in./cd 50 years/r/2V/F4/2V F40A01.htm
http://articles:economictime.indiatimes.com/keyword/mid-day-mealschemehttp://www.middaymeal.com/index.html
http://www.righttofoodindia.org/mdm/

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http://www.educationforallinindia.com
http://legalsutra.org/1828/mid-day-meal-scheme-policy-and-reality google.co.in
http://www.middaymeal.com/index.html
www.expressbuzz.com

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