The school education department has started distribution of cooked Mid-Day Meals (MDM) to students at their homes after schools across J&K were closed earlier this week.
The directions for distribution of the meals were given by principal secretary school education, Asgar Samoon while chairing a video conference with all chief education officers (CEOs) and other officials of the department.
However some officials have questioned the government move. “It is not a wise decision to distribute the meals amid the prevailing situation. It will result in public gathering and could make people vulnerable to infections,” an official said.
As per the guidelines of Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), the MDM is served among students on working days. But the apex court has asked the states to file the compliance report about utilization of the MDM during the closure of schools.
“In this regard, the MHRD is planning to devise a mechanism for utilization of the meals. But the department has hastily decided to go for serving the meals at the door steps,” said an official.
He said the officials had put forth suggestions for utilization of the MDM among students and avoiding door-to-door distribution which invites public gathering.
“But the principal secretary didn’t agree and instructed to ensure the distribution of the meals,” the official said.
Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, KK Sharma said the department has not taken any final decision regarding the distribution of meals. He said directions have been passed that no CEO should distribute MDM among students as their doorsteps.
“We are still holding discussions over it. The final decision will be taken later,” Sharma said.
