Lok Sabha Question No. 2297 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Audit of Mid-day Meal Scheme
Ministry: EDUCATION
Asked by: Mrs Ruchi Vira

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

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-2297 ANSWERED ON - 09/12/2024

## Audit of Mid-day Meal Scheme

## 2297.   Mrs Ruchi Vira:

Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has carried out any audit to check the proper implementation of the Mid-day Meal Scheme in all the States and Union Territories of the country including Uttar Pradesh;
- (b) whether any irregularities have been found after such audits during the last three years, especially in Uttar Pradesh, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to constitute a comprehensive committee to review the performance, extent of implementation and audit of Mid-Day Meal Scheme in all the States of the country; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

## (SHRI JAYANT CHAUDHARY)

(a)  &  (b): P radhan M antri Po shan Sh akti N irman(  PM  POSHAN) is  one  of  the  foremost rights  based  Centrally  Sponsored  Schemes  under  the  National  Food  Security  Act,  2013 (NFSA). Section 28 of National Food Security Act, 2013 inter alia envisages that every local authority,  or  any  other  authority  or  body,  as  may  be  authorised  by  the  State  Government, shall  conduct  or  cause  to  be  conducted,  periodic  social  audits  on  the  functioning  of  the scheme and cause to publicise its findings and take necessary action, in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Government. The States/UTs are required to conduct Social Audit in  all  districts  in  at  least  20  schools  or  2%  of  the  schools,  whichever  is  higher  for  each district.  The  responsibility  for  taking  action  and  ensuring  compliances  on  the  Social  Audit findings rests with the State/UT Nodal Department implementing the PM POSHAN Scheme. The  State  Government  of  Uttar  Pradesh  has  reported  that  under  PM  POSHAN  Scheme, Social Audit was conducted in 1500 schools for the years 2022-23 and in 1575 schools for the year 2023-24 in all the 75 districts as per the Guidelines laid by Central Government and the process continues for the current year 2024-25. The State reported that major findings of the  social  audits  were  inadequacy  in  record  maintenance  in  Districts  Sitapur,  Lakhimpur Khiri,  Mau,  Gonda, and Balrampur; and non-availability of gloves and  aprons for CCH in Districts Lakhimpur and Hardoi. The State Government has further reported action is taken to remove the shortcomings found during the social audit.

(c)  &  (d):  PM  POSHAN  is  implemented  in  partnership  with  States/  UTs  and  the  overall responsibility for smooth functioning of the scheme lies with the State Governments and UT Administrations. Detailed guidelines have been issued in this regard and all the States/ UTs were advised to adhere to these Guidelines. In order to improve performance and  extent of implementation, the scheme inter-alia provides elaborate monitoring mechanism i.e. Empowered  Committee  under  the  Chairpersonship  of  Hon'ble  Union  Education  Minister, Programme Approval Board (PAB) under the Chairpersonship of Secretary (DoSE&L), State Steering-cum-Monitoring Committee under the Chairpersonship of Chief Secretary, a District level Committee under the Chairpersonship of senior-most MP of Lok Sabha, District level Steering-cum-Monitoring Committee  under the Chairpersonship of District Collector. Further, Joint Review Missions (JRMs) consisting of nutritional experts review the scheme through field visits and assess the actual implementation of the Scheme at the ground level as & when required. These guidelines, inter-alia, provides for instructions to schools to procure Agmark quality and branded items for preparation of meals, training to Cook-cum-Helpers, tasting  of  meals  by  members  of  School  Management  Committee  including  at  least  one teacher  before  serving  the  hot  meal  to  children.  Further,  the  Mid-Day  Meal  Rules,  2015 provide for mandatory testing of food samples by Government Food Research Laboratory or any  laboratory  accredited  or  recognized  by  law  to  ensure  that  the  meals  meet  nutritional standards and quality. The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is given responsibility for issue of food grains of best available quality, which will in any case be at least of Fair Average Quality  (FAQ).  The  FCI  appoints  a  Nodal  Officer  for  each  State  to  take  care  of  various problems in supply of food grains under the PM POSHAN Scheme.

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