Centre will credit cooking cost to 44 lakh midday meal beneficiaries

Mysuru: In a bid to ease the burden on parents from underprivileged sections of society, the Central government has decided to credit into bank accounts of 44 lakh students from class I to VIII, money that would otherwise be spent on preparation of midday meals for 50 days. This, however is a one-time measure aimed at providing financial assistance to families of the students.
In April 2020, the department of public instruction had undertaken the distribution of provisions and milk powder to students, who were unable to attend schools, shut owing to the pandemic.
Joint director of midday meal scheme MR Maruti said that the government had in its database details of the bank accounts of 50% of the students, who were beneficiaries of the midday meal scheme. “Soon, all students will get the amount that would have been used for the preparation of midday meals for the 50 days,” he said.
Sources said the cost of cooking one meal for students from classes one to five was estimated at around Rs 5, while the sum was Rs 7.5 for those in classes VI to IX. However, students in classes IX and X will not receive compensation since it is the state government that bears the expenses for their meals.
General secretary of Government Teachers’Association Chandrashekar Nuggi said, “Teachers have been directed to ensure all students open a zero-balance bank account into which the money can be credited. We welcome the Centre’s initiative. The government never stopped supply of provisions to the students’ families. Payment of cooking cost will them further.”
Parents are understandably pleased. “The salt and other provisions supplied by the DPI are of good quality. Keeping students engaged through such social welfare initiatives is a good decision,” said Ravi Kumar, parent of a Mysuru-based student.