MYSURU: In order to usher in transparency and accountability in the functioning of the midday meal scheme in schools, the state
government has decided to leverage the use of the internet. Headmasters and teachers of
schools where the midday meal scheme is operational have been asked to upload all the relevant information pertaining to the programme. This includes the number of students being fed at each institution, stock of the food grains, et al, which are to be uploaded daily on the SATS MID website, which has been developed for this exclusive purpose.
More than 56 lakh students across the state – 2.2 lakh children in
Mysuru district – benefit under the scheme. With the schools being shut indefinitely owing to the pandemic, the state government decided on delivering
foodgrains,
milk powder to the homes of the students, in addition to providing money to the families to purchase the necessary vegetables to ensure the children are fed nutritious food. Headmasters of all schools in the state have been asked to upload data on the distribution of all the commodities and money on the website so as to enable the government to keep track of the expenditure.
Midday meals officer for Mysuru district Ningarajaiah said that the zilla panchayat had already trained the headmasters, teachers and officials in the
department of public instruction on the procedure to be followed in uploading the necessary details on the website.
“The website has been launched officially and the teachers and headmasters must start uploading details on the distribution of foodgrains to the students,” Ningarajaiah told TOI.
Under the earlier system, the headmasters had to submit a utility certificate to the government each month, furnishing details on the utilisation of the foodgrains, in addition to putting forth demand for more vegetables, pulses, cooking gas and staff. “But the website will reduce all the paperwork, and ensure that the department has accurate details on the number of students benefitting from the scheme, which will, in turn ensure that the government has an accurate estimate of the grants required,” Ningarajaiah added.