State food commission asks DEO to submit report

The Punjab State Food Commission has expressed serious concern over the discontinuation of the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme in certain schools run by the Pingalwara institution. The commission has instructed the District Education Officer (Secondary) to submit a detailed report at the earliest.

In a meeting chaired by Bal Mukand Sharma, Chairperson of the commission, and attended by members Vijay Dutt, Chetan Dhaliwal and Jasveer Singh Sekhon, the commission directed the district administration to ensure that no eligible student is deprived of the benefits of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and that the scheme be re-initiated in the Pingalwara schools without delay.

The meeting was also attended by Amandeep Kaur, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Urban Development), along with senior officials of the Health, Education, Social Security, Forest, Ayurvedic and Food Safety Departments.

Discussions were held on the effective implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2023, Poshan Vatika (Nutrition Garden), quality testing of drinking water in schools, health and hygiene measures and the upcoming “Food is Medicine” workshop.

Bal Mukand Sharma emphasised the need for timely and coordinated implementation of all government directives related to food security, nutrition and sanitation. He also stressed the importance of an integrated monitoring system for better execution of food-related welfare schemes.

The commission members visited the Pingalwara Organic Farm at Jandiala Guru and the charitable society at Manawala. The commission reviewed various welfare and educational activities being carried out there and interacted with Dr Inderjit Kaur, president of Pingalwara, who briefed the commission about the institution’s functioning and humanitarian services.