Release dues of Rs 3.7 crore for midday meals: GFP

Panaji: Goa Forward Party (GFP) has written to the state government demanding that the pending amount of Rs 3.7 crore be immediately released to self-help groups (SHGs) as payment for preparing midday meals for schools.
In a letter to the chief secretary, GFP said that SHGs depend on the payments to meet their family expenses. “Timely payment of what is due to them by the government is critical to sustain their operations. Unfortunately, we have received many grievances and complaints in this regard,” said GFP general secretary Durgadas Kamat.
During the winter session of the state legislative assembly in January, GFP president Vijai Sardesai had asked for details of the dues kept pending by the department of education (DoE) to various SHGs. The government had replied that Rs 3.7 crore has yet to be paid to these groups.
“This is not an acceptable state of affairs. We request you to issue appropriate directions to the department concerned to release the payments without further delay and on priority,” said Kamat.
The government provides food to needy students at government schools under the scheme.
The food is cooked and supplied by several SHGs across the state.
GFP said that rising food and gas prices as well as travel expenditure adversely affects the income and financial stability of SHGs.