Dissatisfaction over mid-day meal allocation
Finally, after two years, the center increased the mid-day meal allocation. Allocation of mid-day meal increased to Rs 5 and 45 paisa in case of primary and Rs. 8 and 17 paise for upper primary. According to a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Education on Friday, the allocation for cost of materials under the PM Poshan Scheme i.e. Mid-Day Meal has been increased by 9.6 percent. This increased allocation is effective from October 1. However, this rate is not satisfactory to most of the teachers in the state. Earlier, the allocation of mid-day meal was increased in April 2020. Accordingly, the allocation for cooking mid-day meal per primary level i.e. first to fifth class student was Rs 4 and 97 paisa. Rs. 7 and 45 paise per head was allocated for the students from sixth to eighth standard and upper primary level. After two years, the allocation was increased by 48 paisa at the primary level and 72 paisa at the upper primary level.
Chandan Garai, secretary of the All Post Graduate Teachers Welfare Association, said, “It will cause problems in schools with fewer students to run the mid-day meal.” Saudeepta Das, editor of the Collegium of Assistant Headmasters and Assistant Headmistresses said, “It has increased which is good news, but it’s not enough.” Anand Handa, general secretary of the Bengali Primary Teachers Association, demanded to increase the allocation to 20 rupees.
