MID-DAY MEAL

A TERM PAPERSUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE DEGREE OF BACHELOR IN SOCIAL SCIENCES2011(HONOURS SCHOOL)

SUPERVISED BY SUBMITTED BYMr. Nirmal Singh Khushmeet Kaur Pallavi Sandeep Kaur Satvir Kaur SCHOOL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES GURU NANAK DEV UNIVERSITY AMRITSAR

INTRODUCTIONOver the last 15 years, India has posted un-precedent economic growth rates . Only China has grown faster. India has emerged as one of the most important rising global powers , but it also has one-third of the worlds undernourished children and one of the highest rates of child under nutrition in the World. Under nutrition causes 35% of under-5 child deaths, impairs learning outcomes, increases the likelihood of being poor and is linked to illness or death during pregnancy. The future of India lies in the health of her children. The latest Human Development Report shows that 47 per cent children are underweight. Over 34 per cent of Indians live on less than Rs 40 a day. The mid-day meal (MDM) scheme is thus a necessity. It is an investment the country makes in the health of its children. The Mid Day Meal is the worlds largest school feeding programme reaching out to about 12 crore children in over 12.65 lakhs schools/EGS centres across the country. In response to this pressure, and to the court orders, all state governments have initiated mid-day meal programmes. Today, with more than 100 million children covered, Indias mid-day meal programme is by far the largest nutrition programme in the world.[footnoteRef:2] [2: http://www.educationforallindia.com]

On 28 November 2001, the Supreme Court directed state governments to introduce cooked mid-day meals in all government and government-assisted primary schools within six months . This landmark order was one of the first achievements of the right to food campaign. The order was followed by organised public pressure for the introduction of cooked mid-day meals in primary schools, e.g. in the form of a country-wide "day of action on mid-day meals" in April 2002. The quality of mid-day meals, however, varies a great deal between different states. Some states, notably in southern India, have reasonably good mid-day meal programmes . Others initially introduced ramshackle mid-day meals on a shoestring budget, mainly to the Supreme Court. The campaign focuses not only on the implementation of Supreme Court orders but also on quality issues .[footnoteRef:3] [3: http://www.righttofoodindia.org/mdm/]

HISTORYFree mid-day meals for school students were first introduced in a Japanese private school in the late 1800s , in Brazil in 1938 and in the United States in 1946 . With evidently satisfactory results. The scheme , first introduced in the southern state of Tamil Nadu way back in 1956 , has proved remarkably successful in improving school enrolment in that state . Though partially launched in 1956 , the mid-day meal programme was given full shape and form by the states actor-turned chief minister the late M.G. Ramachandran in 1982 .There is an interesting story behind the effort of Tamil Nadu C.M. K. Kamraj for Mid Day Meal . Once Tamil Nadu s former Chief Minster K. Kama raj saw a boy near the town of Cheranmahadevi herding livestock, he asked him , What are you doing with these cows ? Why didnt you go to school ? The child immediately retorted , If I go to school , will you give me food to eat ? I can learn only if I eat . " [footnoteRef:4] [4: http://www.middaymeal.com/index.html]

Unknowingly , this young boy had touched on a critical problem facing the nations children : they cannot learn on a hungry stomach . His simple response sparked a series of events which gave rise to the Mid-day Meal Scheme as it is known today . Started in the 1960s in Tamil Nadu , the program was set up to reduce hunger and encourage universal primary education .Various schemes were implemented in the primary education sector by the government to reach the disadvantaged population . Access to Primary Education was universalised through flagship programmes of govt. Like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan , however , despite this , a few children are still deprived of Primary Education due to inability of their parents to send them to schools because of their poor economical status . For , these parents , sending their children to school means not only incurring extra financial burden but also depriving them of money which their children would have earned otherwise by doing labour . That being the attitude of these economically backward parents , one may , perhaps , to motivate the parents and children was to bring their children to school by providing food and nutritional needs[footnoteRef:5] . Government of India , on Oct. 2, 1995 , launched the scheme of National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education also known as Mid-Day Meal Programme . Under this scheme , students of primary classes were to be provided wheat @3 KG per student per month ( for 10 months in a year ) subject to 80% attendance . Meanwhile , the apex court also intervened and vide its orders dated 28th November , 2001 the supreme court directed :- [5: http.//www.righttofoodindia.org/mdm/]

[footnoteRef:6] 1- We direct the State Government/Union Territories to implement the Mid-Day Meal scheme by providing every child in every Government and Government Assisted primary schools with a prepared Mid-Day Meal with minimum contents of 300 calories of energy and 8-12 grams of protein each day of school for a minimum of 200 days . Those Governments providing dry rations instead of cooked meals must within 3 months start providing cooked meals in all Government Aided primary schools in all half the districts of the state ( in order of poverty ) and must within a further period of 3 months extend the provisions of cooked meals to the remaining parts of the state . 2- We direct the Union of India and the FCI to ensure [6: http://www.middaymeal.com/index.html]

Provision of fair average quality grain for the scheme on time . The State/Union Territories and the FCI are directed to do joint inspection of food-grains . If theFood-grains is found , on joint inspection , not to be of fair average quality , it will be replaced by the FCI prior to lifting .Annual Work Plan & Budget 2011-12Mid-Day-3 Meal Scheme, Punjab

OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMMEEducation plays a vital and important role in fulfilling the basic needs of a common man viz. Food, shelter and clothing. The main aim of Education is to prepare and develop the child physically , mentally and spiritually to lead a quality life . Education is a process through which a child is made capable to attain the necessary competencies and skills to face the challenges in life to survive , and to make struggle for existence . Four important factors are identified for achieving the goal of Education for all . These are Access to Education , Enrolment of children , and Retention of the enrolled children and Achievement .[footnoteRef:7] Mid Day Meal scheme is an effort to achieve and facilitate all the four above said objectives . [7: http://www.education.nic.in]

The main objectives of the programme are :a). To increase enrolment , retention and to tone up the learning abilities of the beneficiaries , especially of children belonging to poor and down trodden sections of the society ;b). To provide nutritious meal to the school going children to achieve the goal of Healthy mind in Healthy body ;c). To promote friendship and feelings of common brotherhood among the children belonging to different caste , colour and creed by providing meals to them together and also to increase their retention in schools .

CAUSES , ROLE OF ISKCON Hunger obstructs education as children are forced to leave schools and take up menial jobs . Lack of education curtails opportunities for development and leads to the vicious cycle of poverty and hunger . Education empowers a child to explore his potentials and earn a decent living and live a respectable life in our society. Malnutrition leads to many diseases in elementary age groups . Major nutritional deficiencies affecting young children in India are (1) Protein-Energy Malnutrition .(2) Iron Deficiency Anaemia .(3) Vitamin A Deficiency . (4) Iodine Deficiency Disorders (IDD).[footnoteRef:8] [8: Zaidi Annie , Frontline 22(5) Food for Education (Feb.26, 2005)]

Thus Education (AIE) Scheme . Central Assistance under the scheme consisted of the following :( a ) free supply of food grains @ 100 grams per child per school day .( b ) Major Nutritional Deficiencies among Children of subsidy for transportation of Food grains up to a maximum of Rs.50 per quintal .[footnoteRef:9] [9: Khera Reetika , Economic and Political Weekly 4742 4745, Mid Day Meal in primary schools (Nov 18,2006)]

To expand this project to benefit underprivileged children in other parts of the country , ISKCON has formed a non-profit , non-religious , non-sectarian charitable trust registered under The Bombay Public Trusts Act , 1950 . Named ISKCON FOOD RELIEF FOUNDATION , the trust has been organising Midday Meal Program in Mira Bhayander , Palghar , Nigdi , Tardeo , Juhu , Wada , Delhi , Faridabad , Noida , Gurgaon , Haridwar , Jamshedpur , Kurukshetra , Panipat , Palwal , Tirupati , Nellore , Rajahmundry , Kadapa , Ranga Nara Gadda , Vishakhapatnam , Jaipur , Guwahati and Ujjain .

ISKCON FOOD RELIEF FOUNDATION , has resolved to liberate the underprivileged from this vicious cycle by feeding the poor with sanctified and nutritious food . In just three years since it was founded , the program has scaled to provide over 1,00,000 hygienic and nutritious meals every day through an extremely cost-effective program . MIDDAY MEAL has demonstrated and is now showcased as an operating model that can strategically address two of the most pressing problems for poor children in India : hunger and Education :

Their goal is to scale the program to serve over 5,00,000 children per day by 2010 . They believe success on that scale will offer a model of replication by other developmental organizations and State Governments across India .

To many of our children , the MIDDAY MEAL is the only complete meal that they have access to during the entire day . This has produced dramatic results in terms of enrolment , attendance , and. attention spans .[footnoteRef:10] [10: http://www.righttofoodindia.org/mdm/]

EFFECTS Mid Day meals have big effects on school participation , not just in terms of getting more children enrolled in the registers but also in terms of regular pupil attendance on a daily basis . Mid Day Meal helps overcome classroom hunger as many children come to school Empty stomach or , those coming from distant places , again feel hungry on reaching school , and thus cannot concentrate on studies . Mid day meal acts as a regular source of supplementary nutrition for children , Which facilitates their healthy growth . Mid day meal provides an opportunity to impart good habits to children (such as washing ones hands before and after eating) and educates them about the importance of clean water , good hygiene and other related matters . Mid day meal also helps in spreading egalitarian values , as children from various social backgrounds learn to sit together and share a common meal . In particular , mid day meal can help to break the barriers of caste and class among school . Appointing cooks from Dalit communities is another way of teaching children to overcome caste prejudices . The gender gap in school participation tends to narrow , as the Mid Day Meal Scheme helps erode the barriers that prevent girls from going to school . Mid Day Meal Scheme also provide a useful source of employment for women , and helps liberate working women from the burden of cooking at home during the day . In these and other ways , women and girl children have a special stake in Mid Day Meal. Mid day meal helps in improving the quality of education/ learning levels of the children . Many children reach school on an empty stomach . Even childrenwho have had a meal before they leave for school get hungry by the afternoon and are not able to concentrate . After taking mid day meal , such children are able to concentrate better on classroom activities .[footnoteRef:11] [11: http://www.causes.com/causes/274283 midday meal about]

ROLE OF MOTHERS : Mothers of children studying in schools can help supervise the preparation and serving of meal to children . Scheme has generated employment opportunities for women as cooks /helpers . [footnoteRef:12] [12: The Times of India .Parents Lap up Mid Day Meal in School (dec. 3,2001)]

EFFECT ON GIRLS:Gender gap in school participation tends to narrow , as the Mid Day Meal Scheme helps erode the barriers that prevent girls from going to school . Mid Day Meal Scheme also provide a useful source of employment for women , and helps liberate working women from the burden of cooking at home during the day . In these and other ways , women and girl children have a special stake in Mid Day Meal Scheme . All children , including those belonging to minority community , studying in classes I to VIII in Government , local body and Government aided schools and in Centres run under EGS and AIE Schemes are provided mid day meal . Children studying in the recognized Madaras are also included for coverage under the scheme .[footnoteRef:13] [13: Dreze jean , Mid Day Meal and Childrens rights , Feb. 28,2004]

MAJOR DIRECTIONS ISSUED BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT FOR THE OVER ALL DEVELOPMENT AND VARIOUS DEPRIVED SECTORS OF OUR NATION All Chief Secretaries/Administrators are directed to file compliance report in regard to directions No.1 on or before September,15, 2004 . The conversion costs for a cooked meal , under no circumstances , shall be recovered from the children or their parents . In appointment of cooks and helpers , preference shall be given to Dalits , Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes . The Central Government shall make provisions for construction of kitchen sheds and shall also allocate funds to meet with the conversion costs of food-grains into cooked mid-day meals . It shall also periodically monitor the low take off of the food-grains . In respect of the State of Uttaranchal , it has been represented that the scheme is being implemented in all the schools . It would be open to the Commissioners to inspect and bring it to the notice of the Court , if it is otherwise . In drought affected areas , mid-day meal shall be supplied even during summer vacations . An affidavit shall be filed by the Government of India , within three months , stating as to when it is possible to extend the scheme upto 10th Standard in compliance with the announcement made by the Prime Minister . The affidavit shall also state the time frame within which the Government proposes to implement the recommendations of Abhijit Sen Committee in respect whereof the modalities have been discussed with the concerned Ministries and Planning Commission . Attempts shall be made for better infrastructure , improved facilities (safe drinking water etc. ) , closer monitoring ( regular inspection etc. ) and other quality safeguards as also the improvement of the contents of the meal so as to provide nutritious meal to the children of the primary schools .[footnoteRef:14] [14: http://righttofoodindia.org/mdm/]

PROVISIONSUnder MDMS, two types of costs are involved : fixed costs ,i.e. one time expenses on infrastructure and equipment such as cooking sheds , gas stove, storage facilities , utensils, etc. And recurring costs , i.e. cost of grain , conversion costs , salaries , health supplements , transport etc. Fixed costs are expenses that are borne by the government . However , by virtue of its April , 2004 order , the Supreme Court had directed the Central Government to make provisions for the construction of cooking sheds and further directions were made to ensure better attempts towards provision of drinking water facilities etc. [footnoteRef:15] [15: http://www.educationforallindia.com]

1. Under the 2004 revised guidelines as well , states have been permitted to meet certain requirements (besides food-grains and transport subsidy) such as construction of kitchen sheds , creation of drinking water facility and purchase of utensils under MDMS from various other centrally assisted schemes in order to enable them to implement the programme better. 2. The 6th report of the Supreme Court Commissioners states that while schools have on the whole been provided with cooking utensils , the provision of cooking sheds remain poor and is mostly below 50% except in the states of Tamil Nadu and Uttaranchal . 3. The status of provision of drinking water too , remains poor . Ultimately , the burden is poor upon the state governments to fund infrastructure and other recurring costs under the MDMS . 4. Central assistance is provided only to a limited extent . It is expected that states will invest in the scheme over and above that what is provided by the Centre. Admittedly , there is variation in unit costs of mid-day meals across states . For instance , these costs are not particularly high in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka as compared to other states such as Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh . However , budgetary allocations vary and Karnataka spends more than twice as much as Rajasthan. 5. However , Dreze (a policymaker) states that it is worth nothing that mid-day meal schemes are not a major burden on public finances . Taking Karnataka s relatively high unit costs as a benchmark , the recurring cost of a national mid-day meal programme covering all children enrolled in government and government-assisted schools would add-up to approximately Rs. 2,900 crore per year . This is just a little over 0.1 percent (one-tenth) of India s GDP , or 10 percent of the current food subsidy . The price tag seems small , bearing in mind the wide-ranging social benefits of MDM programmes.[footnoteRef:16] [16: http://www.middaymeal.com/index.html]

Evaluation studies conducted by Independent Agencies

Independent evaluation studies on the Mid-Day Meal have been conducted by different agencies in various parts of the country , which find inter alia enhancement in enrollment and attendance . The studies include :(a). Cooked Mid-Day meal programme in West Bengal - A study of Birbhumdistrict . Professor Amartya Sens Pratichi Research Team (2005) . The study shows that Mid Day Meal has made positive intervention in universalisation ofprimary education by increasing enrollment and attendance . The increase has been more marked with respect to girls and children belonging to SC/STcategories . The study also points out that Mid Day Meal scheme has contributedto reduction in teacher absenteeism and a narrowing of social distances .(b). Situation Analysis of Mid- Day Meal Programme in Rajasthan . University ofRajasthan and UNICEF (2005) : states that the introduction of menu based midDay meal has positively impacted enrollment and attendance of children . It has Contributed to social equity , as children sit together and share a common meal Irrespective of caste and class .[footnoteRef:17] It has further contributed to gender equity in that it [17: Zaidi Annie , Frontline 22(5) Food for Education(Feb.26,2005)]

Has provided employment to women .(c). Mid day Meal in Madhya Pradesh : Samaj Pragati Sahyog , 2005 : Undertook aSurvey in 70 most backward villages . The findings show that there was a 15%Increase in enrollment , which was more marked in the case of SC and ST children(43%).(d). Mid Day Meals : A Comparison of the Financial and Institutional Organization of the Programme in Two States , Farzana Afridi ; April EPW (2005) : Theimplementation of the programme is improving , but a lot more needs to be done .The new initiative of Suruchi Bhojan is more attractive than the earlier Daliya Programme .(e) . Mid-Day Meal Scheme in Delhi A functioning programme Anuradha De ,Claire Noronha and Meera Samson ; CORD ; (2005) . Surveyed 12 MCD schools School children in all schools were receiving food ; impact of attendance moreLikely on girls , who often come to school without breakfast .(f) . Report on Akshara Dasoha scheme of Karnataka " , Dr. Rama Naik ; University of Dharwad (2005) . Has reported sharp rise in enrollment , particularly in rural areas .The programme has had an impact on teacher absenteeism : 64% schools statedThat teacher absenteeism has been reduced .[footnoteRef:18] [18: Economic Times ,Mid day Meal Quota raised for fake students, 2011-o2-09]

(g). National Council of Educational Research & Trainings latest Report (2005) -Learning Achievement of Students at the End of Class-V has inferred thatchildren covered under mid day meal have higher achievement level than those who were not covered under it .(h). Mid Day Meal Scheme in Karnataka A study by National Institute of Public Cooperation & Child Development , Annual Report 2005-06 :- Mid Day Mealimproved the school attendance in majority of the schools and reducedabsenteeism . It has fostered a sense of sharing and fraternity and paved the wayfor social equity .(i). Mid Day Meal Scheme in Madhya Pradesh A study - 2007 by NationalInstitute of Public Cooperation & Child Development , Indore :- School enrolmentindicated marked improvement in enrolment pattern of children in primary school . Mid Day Meal Scheme undoubtedly resulted in increased school attendance and facilitated in retention of children in school for a longer period .The Scheme has played a crucial role in reducing drop out , especially among Girls . Parents viewed that the mid day meal had reduced the burden of providingOne time meal to their children and considered it as a great support to their Families . Teachers opined that mid day meal aided in active learning of children ,Which indirectly improved their academic performance . The Scheme has played aSignificant role in bringing social equity .[footnoteRef:19] [19: Rajan S. Irudaya and A. Jayashankar , EPW Impact of Mid Day Meal Programme on primary Education,(oct. 24-31,1992)]

OVERALL QUALITY OF THE SCHEME IN DIFFERENT STATESThe regional contrast is not only in terms of the extent of implementation of the MDMS but also as to the overall quality of the scheme as well- the quality of meals , the regularity of serving them , the infrastructure for implementing the scheme etc . The regional disparities in the opinion of the researcher , can be primarily attributed to differences with respect to two factors:-(i)political will and community support and (ii)comparative costs and budgetary allocations .[footnoteRef:20] [20: http://educationforallindia.com]

The experiments in Tamil Nadu with school lunch programmes is the oldest in the country and has enjoyed tremendous success and political support . Today , Tamil Nadu has one of the most efficiently organised school lunch systems in India . Mid-day meals are provided across primary schools in Tamil Nadu every day of the year including holidays . In fact , at places it has gone beyond the scope of the mandated coverage to by allowing the destitute and the aged to partake of the mid-day meal in school . In Tamil Nadu , mid-day meals seem to enjoy all-round support from the village community . Even teachers , who tend to have various reservations in other states , strongly support the programme . Tamil Nadu is the living example of what can be achieved when quality safeguards are in place . Political will is the key in many instances of successful implementation of the scheme and reze cites the example of a state like Rajasthan which is widely perceived to belong to the infamous BIMARU set . In Rajasthan , the state government took an early decision to implement the Supreme Court order of Nov. 2001 . In fact , it was the first sates to do so , among so where no mid-day meal scheme was in place at that time . A high level monitoring committee closely supervised the programme from the beginning , and the progress of the mid-day meals was also watched by the right to food campaign . The timely delivery of good quality grain , even in remote schools , seems to be a reflection of this unambiguous commitment to mid-day meals . However , more political will cannot steer the MDMS to success . Political will must necessarily translate into adequate budgetary allocation. This is the main problem in Rajasthan where , in spite of the state governments declared commitment to mid day meals , money is too short as a result of which basic facilities are sorely lacking and the quality and variety of meals is unsatisfactory.[footnoteRef:21] [21: Origin and Growth of School Lunch Programme in Tamil Nadu at www.education.nic.in./cd50years.htm]

MONITORING MECHANISMThe department of School Education and Literacy, Ministers of Human Resources Development has prescribed comprehensive and elaborate mechanism for monitoring and supervision of the Mid Day Meal Scheme. The monitoring mechanism include the following:Arrangements for local level monitoring Representatives of Gram Panchayats/Gram Sabhas, members of VECs, PTAs , SDMCs as well as other Communities are required to monitor the (i) regularity and wholesomeness of the Mid day Meal served to the children (ii) cleanliness in cooking and serving of the Mid-day Meal (iii) Time lines in procurement of good quality ingredients , fuel etc. (iv) Implementation of varied menu (v) Social and gender equality . This is required to be done on daily basis .[footnoteRef:22] [22: India 2009]

DISPLAY OF INFORMATION UNDER RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACTIn order to ensure that there is transparency and accountability, all schools and centres where the programme is being implemented are required to display information suo-moto. This includes information on (i) Quality of food grains received, data receipt(ii) Quantity of food- grains utilised.(iii) Other ingredients purchased , utilized (iv) Number of children given mid-day meal(v) Daily menu(vi) Roster of community members involved in the programme[footnoteRef:23] [23: http://righttofoodindia.org/mdm/]

INSPECTIONS BY STATE GOVERNMENT OFFICERS Officers of the State Government / UTs belongs to the department of revenue , rural development , education and other related sectors , such as women and child development , food , health are also required to inspect schools and centres where the programme is being implemented . It has been recommended that 25% of primary schools/ EGS and AIE centres are visited every quarter.

RESPONSIBILITY OF FOOD CORPORATION OF INDIA (FCI)The FCI is responsible for the continuous availability of adequate food grains in its depots. It allows lifting of food grains for any month / quarter up to one month in advance so that supply chain of food grains remains uninterrupted. For the NP-NSPE, 2006, the FCI is mandated to issue food- grains of best available quality, which will in any case be at least of fair average quality. The FCI appoints a Nodal Officer for each state to take care of various programmes in supply of food-grains under the MDM programme.The District Collector/CEO of Zillah Panchayat ensures that food-grains of at least FAQ are issued by FCI after joint inspection by a team consisting of FCI and the nominee of the collector and chief Exicutive Officer , District Panchayat and confirmation by them that the grain confronts at least FAQ norms .[footnoteRef:24] [24: India 2009]

MONITORING BY INSTITUTIONS OF SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH41 instituitions of social science research, indentified for monitoring the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, are also interested with the task of monitoring the Mid-day Meal scheme.

PROGRAMME INTERVENTION AND COVERAGE:To achieve the objectives a cooked mid day meal with nutritional content as shown in table below:Nutritional contentNorm as per NP-NSPE,2004Revised Norm as per NS-NSPE,2006

Calories 300 450

Proteins 8-12 12

Micronutrients Not prescribedAdequate quantities of micronutrients like iron, folic acid, vitamin-A etc.

EXTENSION TO UPPER PRIMARY STAGEThe Finance Minister has announced in the Union Budget 2007 -2008 that the Mid-day meal scheme will be extended to cover children in upper primary classes in 3527 Educationally Background Blocks in 2007-2008. A budget provision of Rs. 7324 crores has been made for this purpose , representing 35% increase over the budget 2006-2007. CRITICISMPerhaps the biggest problem that plagues universalisation of the MDMS across all Indian states is the stark disparity in the manner and the extent to which the scheme has been initiated and continued in these states . In September , 2005 , the apex- court imposed deadline for implementation in their November , 2001 order lapsed but the supreme court commissioners in their 6th Report ( Dec. , 2005 ) reported that in September 2005 , the MDM continues to be a scheme in the nascent stages of its implementation for a larger number of states , with large gaps in the implementation of the scheme . The Commissioners stated that they received contrary reports from state and UT Governments and the reports received from civil society organisations indicate cases where the Department of Elementary Education and Literacy (Do EEL) and Ministry of Human Resource Development (Mo HRD) on the nationwide status of implementation of the scheme was also very unsatisfactory .The Commissioners report that the orders of the Supreme Court continue to be ignored and flouted with much impunity, especially in a matter that involves the entitlement of every school going child to basic nutrition , by an entitlement created by the Supreme Court itself . It details Assam , Manipur and Himachal Pradesh as the worst offending states . Others like the states of Jammu and Kashmir , Jharkhand, Karnataka and Punjab reported only partial implementation . Several states and Union Territories failed to respond to the request for information regarding the implementation of the mid-day meal scheme . Amongst States that have responded to the Commissioners requests for information , eight States and two UTs have reported full implementation of the scheme .[footnoteRef:25] [25: Dreaze Jean and Goyel Aprajita , EPW 4673,Future of Midday Meals(nov. 1 2003)]

In an exemplary recommendation , the report proposes that notice be issued by the apex-court , to the Chief Secretaries of each of these State Governments , about why contempt proceedings should not be instituted against them , and to indicate a time frame for full coverage of every child in every school , with reasons for failure to comply with the Supreme Court orders so far . This seems like a sound proposal and will serve as a wake-up call for the defaulting states .[footnoteRef:26] [26: http://legalsutra.org/1828mid-day-meal-scheme-polity-and-reality]

CONCLUSIONThe experience so far clearly shows that mid day meals have much to contribute to the well-being and future of Indian children ,. As things stand mid-day programmes have many flaps , but the way to go is forward and not backward . With adequate resources and quality safeguards ,mid-day meals can play a major role in improving school attendance , eliminating classroom hunger and fostering social equit .Somqe suggestions with respect to MDMS are as follows :(1) There is a need to bring about a conceptual change in understanding the interplay between the MDMS and the universalisation of education ( or the realisation of right +to education ). The emphasis and efforts under the scheme should go beyond merely ensuring provision of meals and increase in enrolment , but should be directed towards guaranteeing and realizing for every child of school going age , his or her right or education .(2) Greater financial allocations , qualitative improvements and increased commitment and dedication towards full implementation of the MDMS are the need of the hour . The states which are guilty of flouting the direction of the Supreme court should be brought to task . It is only when the universalisation of mid-day meal meals programme for the primary classes is achieved can the beginning for extending the scheme to higher classes be made .(3) Greater community participation , involvement of NGOs and other social organisations and adopting Public-Private models of implementing MDMS .

BIBLIOGRAPHYZaidi Annie , Frontline 22(5) Food for Education (Feb 26 ,2005)Dreze Jean and Goyel Aparajita, Economic and Political weekly 4673 Future of Mid day meals38(44) (November 1,2003)Khera Reetika, Economic and Political Weekly 4742,4745 Midday meal in primary school41(46) (Nov 18,2006) Rajan S.Irudaya and A.Jayashankar, Economic and Political weekly 2372(Impact of Midday meal Programme on Primary education:An Exploratory study in Tamilnadu27(43/44) Oct,24-31,1992)Economic Times, Mid-day meal quota raised for fake students-,2011-02-09 Orissa Dreze Jean, Economic and Political Weekly,Mid-day meal and childrens rights,Feb 28,2004. The Time of India Parents Lap up Mid day Meal in School (Dec 3,2001) Indian express ,Sinha Chinki , Sunday,August 21,2011 New Delhi Websites:-http://www.causes.com/causes/274283 www.education.nic.in./cd 50 years/r/2V/F4/2V F40A01.htmhttp://articles:economictime.indiatimes.com/keyword/mid-day-meal-schemehttp://www.middaymeal.com/index.html http://www.righttofoodindia.org/mdm/http://www.educationforallinindia.comhttp://legalsutra.org/1828/mid-day-meal-scheme-policy-and-reality google.co.inhttp://www.middaymeal.com/index.htmlwww.expressbuzz.com

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