Govt will hike midday meal rates, but quality must improve: Goa CM Pramod Sawant

PANAJI: CM Pramod Sawant on Tuesday said that while he will approve the hiked rates payable to midday meal suppliers in the state, the women’s self-help groups concerned must ensure that the quality of the food improves. Sawant said that the food quality was below par in some areas and that 50% of the students abstained from consuming the meals as a result.
“We will increase the rates, but they will have to provide quality food. They have said that we should increase the amount paid by Rs 1.9, and I will increase it as per their demand, but they should not compromise on quality. They will have to provide food as per the quality we ask for. At present, 50% students do not eat it. In some places, they do not serve quality food,” the chief minister said.
The issue cropped up after the midday meal menu in Goa was revised for the academic year 2022-23 as per a central government directive.
The local pao made from maida was replaced with idlis, chapatis etc. Suppliers said it cost them more to prepare meals according to the altered menu.
Midday meal suppliers have demanded that rates paid to them be hiked to Rs 8 per 100gm and Rs 10 per 150gm. Suppliers from six talukas have said that they will stop supplying meals when schools reopen post the Diwali break next week, if the rates are not hiked. They have also demanded that their pending bills be cleared by November 4.