Panel member visits schools, inspects mid-day meals

To ensure compliance with the National Food Security Act’s regulations and to bring transparency in the quality and quantity of mid-day meals served in government schools, food provided at anganwadi centres and wheat distributed at government ration depots, the Punjab State Food Commission will conduct regular surprise visits. Strict action will be taken against any person found negligent in the implementation of these schemes.

This statement was made by Vijay Dutt, member of the Punjab State Food Commission, during a surprise inspection conducted today at various schools and anganwadi centres in Kapurthala district.

Dutt carried out the inspection in Nadala and Dhilwan blocks of Kapurthala district. During this inspection, he reviewed the welfare schemes being implemented under the National Food Security Act and provided information to ensure their proper execution.

The inspection included those of government elementary and middle schools at Murar village of Nadala block, anganwadi centre at Murar village, government high school, elementary school and anganwadi centre in Hameera town of Dhilwan block.

He stated that any beneficiary with complaints regarding the National Food Security Act could register their grievances on the Punjab State Food Commission’s helpline number (9876764545).

During the inspection, he directed that the mid-day meal food testing registers in schools be properly maintained, children be provided with clean and nutritious food and cleanliness be maintained throughout the meal process.

He also interacted with the schoolchildren and even had mid-day meal with them. He instructed the department concerned to ensure regular check of water quality in schools as well as periodic health checkups of students and mid-day meal workers.