For more than 15 years, mid-day meals for schools in Goa were supplied by women from various self-help groups (SHGs). However, last year the government decided to replace many of the SHGs with the Akshay Patra Foundation, a renowned independent charitable trust of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), Bengaluru. In the bargain, apparently, some SHGs have not been paid their dues for the last eight months due to a lack of funds. This is surprising because, had the SHGs continued their services, the government would have earmarked a budget under its planned expenditures.
The other aspect is that, on one hand, we talk about women’s empowerment and encourage them to become entrepreneurs, while on the other hand, the eligible dues are not paid on time.
Perhaps it is an injustice to local women to award the mid-day meal contract to Akshay Patra, which has a larger presence beyond Goa. The government should continue with the SHGs for aided schools, while Akshay Patra could cater to children in private schools whose parents can afford to pay more for the meals. Many Goan women support their families by depending on SHGs in various ways. They supply ingredients and prepare, pack, transport, and serve the mid-day meals. It is ironic that the women who lovingly cook for others are being deprived of their livelihood.
