Lok Sabha Question No. 2121 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Irregularities in Mid Day Meal Scheme
Ministry: Education
Asked by: Vishnu Dayal Ram

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EDUCATION DEPARTMENT OF SCHOOL EDUCATION & LITERACY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2121 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.08.2021

## Irregularities in Mid Day Meal Scheme

## †2121. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA: DR. ARVIND KUMAR SHARMA:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) there are many reports of irregularities by the school officers in various sectors regarding  management  of  Mid  Day  Meal  plan  such  as  substandard  milk,  low quality  and  unhygienic  food  and  whether  the  Government  has  taken  sufficient steps to deal with this problem;
- (b) if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF EDUCATION (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

- (a) to (c) : A total of 24 complaints were received regarding irregularities and poor quality  food  severed    under  the  Mid-Day  Meal  Schemes (MDMS) during the last  two  years  and  current  year.  It  is  stated  that  the  overall  responsibility  for providing cooked and nutritious Mid Day Meal to the eligible children lies with State  Governments  and  UTs  Administrations.    Accordingly,  these  cases  were referred to the concerned State Governments and UT Administrations for taking necessary action.  As per Action Taken Reports (ATRs) received from States and  UTs,  action  such  as  issuing  warning  against  the  official  responsible, terminating the contract of concerned NGOs / Organisations, initiating criminal proceedings and imposing penalties against the defaulting persons/officials/organisations have been taken by the concerned State Governments  and  UT  Administrations.  The  details  of  action  taken  on  these complaints are given at Annexure.

Annexure

Annexure referred to in reply to part (a) to (c) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2121 for 02.08.2021 raised by Shri Vishnu Datt Sharma, Dr. Arvind Kumar Sharma Hon'ble MPs regarding Irregularities in Mid Day Meal Scheme Action Taken on complaints regarding irregularities and poor quality food severed

## under the Mid-Day Meal Schemes since 2019

| Sl.         | Type of Action                                                                                                                            | 2019         | 2019            | 2020         | 2020            | 2021         | 2021            | Total   |
|-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------|-----------------|--------------|-----------------|--------------|-----------------|---------|
| No.         |                                                                                                                                           | Poor Quality | Irregul arities | Poor Quality | Irregul arities | Poor Quality | Irregu larities |         |
| 1           | Departmental action (including warning, transfer, suspension) and action against service providers/complaint substantiated by State Govt. | 5            | 4               | 2            | 1               | 0            | 1               | 13      |
| 2           | General corrective action, including issue of instructions to the concerned, by State Govt./GOI.                                          | 1            | 1               | 0            | 2               | 0            | 0               | 4       |
| 3           | Baseless, not proved, not relatedtoMDM                                                                                                    | 1            | 3               | 0            | 3               | 0            | 0               | 7       |
| Total       | Total                                                                                                                                     | 7            | 8               | 2            | 6               | 0            | 1               | 24      |
| Grand Total | Grand Total                                                                                                                               | 15           | 15              | 8            | 8               | 1            | 1               | 24      |

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