Funds not received, teachers in Banjar pitch in for mid-day meals

Abhinav Vashisht

Kullu, July 4

Elementary schools in the Banjar block of the district have not received funds for mid-day meal under the PM Poshan Shakti Nirman scheme for the past four months. The meals in these schools are being cooked with the money contributed by teachers. A total of Rs 50,000 has been spent by teachers for the meal so far.

The per day per student cooking cost is Rs 4.48 to Rs 4.97 for primary classes and Rs 6.71 to Rs 7.45 for upper primary classes. The amount is provided to procure ingredients such as pulses, vegetables, oil, salt, spices, turmeric and LPG. Rice was provided separately for the schools. The amount of mid-day meal provided to the schools is according to the number of students.

Members of the Banjar Elementary Teachers’ Association had written a letter to the Department of Elementary Education. Association president Jivan Sandhu said funds for the mid-day meal had not been received by the schools since March. He added that teachers were spending money from their pocket for children. He said rice was being provided by the government but the funds for other ingredients had been due for the past four months.

According to sources, the dues till February were released last month to the schools in various blocks of the district. Kullu Elementary Education Deputy Director Surjeet Rao said the payment of mid-day meal was pending in the entire state as the funds had not been received from the Centre. He said the payment would be released soon after the funds were received.

Meanwhile, parents of schoolkids said the authorities concerned should be more particular about the matter so that nutritious food was provided to their wards and teachers didn’t have to face inconvenience for this.