Mid-day meal scheme a misnomer in four eastern districts of State

EMN
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 22

The Eastern Naga Students Federation (ENSF) has yet again expressed utmost dismay that the State government failed to fulfill its commitment to give written assurance for regular implementation of the mid-day meal scheme on all school days in government schools of four eastern districts of the State as per the existing norms.
The Federation warned that if the State government is not sincere in its commitment, it might be compelled to revoke its temporarily suspended agitation for which the government shall be held fully responsible. It, therefore, urged the government to uphold the agreement made on November 26, 2013.
The Federation said the government at a meeting on November 26, 2013 at the Chief Secretary’s conference hall assured to give a written assurance for regular implementation of the MDM on all school days as per the existing norms. However, despite its repeated appeals the government had neither handed the letter of assurance nor has it improved the system of providing MDM in the government schools, ENSF president Shahsha L. Menhahu and general secretary Honang M Jessuhu lamented in a release today.
The Federation also recalled that the deputy commissioners of four eastern districts had convened a meeting with all the in-charges of MDM from the grassroots level. Accordingly, an oath of assurance for strict implementation of the scheme was signed in the presence of DCs and the respective tribal student organisations of the six tribes. The DCs called the meeting on the request of the Federation during its last agitation, the release said.
Foodgrain supply: The Federation also sought to know from the State suppliers of MDM foodgrains as to how the supply is being done as no sufficient foodgrain is being received on time at the SDEO level as reported by the officials. It, therefore, directed its federating units to collect the detail utilization certificate from the SDEOs from 2010 to 2014 and submit the same to it by November 10, 2014.
Transportation issue: The Federation said whereas the PAB had clearly marked the transportation cost, the cost is only being used by the suppliers from FCI to the storage. Transportation cost from the storage to the respective schools is never sanctioned. The MDM in charge from the school had to sale some bags of rice in order to meet the transportation charges. As a result, there are always shortages of food grains in the school and the children remain hungry and malnourished. The agency concerned should allocate the transportation cost from the storage to the schools, it said.
Cooks and helper: Appointment of cooks is at total stake. The honorarium of Rs 1000 per month is too little for such regular task. However, as the schools do not serve MDM, their burden is lightened and so their grievances are left untold. The list of cooks so appointed should be furnished by the concern agency and thorough investigation should be made as soon as possible. The Federation is also dismayed to find that so many MDM helpers’ names are being manipulated at the official level. Their salaries bounce back in the districts after all official procedures are made. Such irregularities and anomalies should be rectified before the Federation intervenes, the Federation demanded.
It, therefore, appealed to the General Manager of FCI to furnish the total quantity of food grain dispatched from its office to the respective district especially the four eastern districts of Nagaland in the past three financial years 2012-13, 13-14 and 14-15. The Federation said it will investigate thoroughly at the district level to trace out the defaulters. It further stated that thought it took up agitation last year, there had been no improvement nor is there seriousness on the part of the government.
The Federation said it has been compelled to find out how the MDM scheme had been implemented in the past five years and added that if anomalies so detected, it will initiate befitting action against the defaulters which might require legal actions.
The Federation further appealed to all the Naga Political Groups (NPGs) to abstain from indulging in the ‘shares’ that is meant for the poor children in the schools. It urged that under the aegis of the Kilonser for Education and its competent officials in all the groups, the NPGs should extend their cooperation in checking and rooting out the discrepancies and anti-social elements that exist in the system today.