Akshay Patra to serve mid-day meals on trial basis from April 1

PANAJI  
While on one hand, 98-odd self-help groups (SHGs) are awaiting their payment for last six months, the Bengaluru-based Akshay Patra Foundation is most likely to commence supply of mid-day meal to around 2,500 students on a trial basis from the coming academic year onwards that is from April 1.

The State government had in August 2023 finalised Akshay Patra Foundation to supply mid-day meal in those schools, where currently no SGHs are providing meals. State in March, last year signed an agreement with Akshay Patra, which is selected as an alternative to SHGs in case of emergencies.

Highly placed sources informed that from April 1 onwards, Akshay Patra will be roped in to supply mid-day meal to 2,500 students on trial basis. “The government is yet to finalise the schools and other modalities,” sources said.

Sources informed that the Foundation has obtained a required licence from the Food and Drugs Administration (FDA), Health Department and has put in place a kitchen facility.

As reported earlier, the Foundation will be paid in lines with SHGs and PTAs that is Rs 8.75 per student per day for 100gms of the meal at the pre-primary (of government and government-aided schools) and primary level, and Rs 11.12 per student per day for 150gms of the meal for upper primary school students.

Also, the meal menu is fixed which does not include refined flour or maida. Dishes such as mixed vegetable idlis and mix vegetable pulao, chole chapati, vegetarian kurma and potato bhaji are served.

The Directorate of Education is also expected to renew a one-year contract with 98 SHGs and nine Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), who are currently supplying the meal to 1.60 lakh students across Goa.

Since August, last year, the SHGs are yet to be paid with the State government awaiting 4th instalment from the Centre to clear part payments.