Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: With Akshaya Patra’s entry into Goa’s mid-day meal services, the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said that his government has decided not to grant permissions to any self-help groups (SHGs) to serve meal to school students.
LoP Yuri Alemao raised concerns over Akshay Patra getting the midday meal contract in Goa.
Sawant said that no Self Help Group (SHG) or Mahila Mandal will be discontinued from the supply of mid-day meals to the existing school children as allotted earlier by the Directorate of Education.
However, it is made clear that if the supply is not as per the standards or the Central Government guidelines for National Program of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE), 2006 issued by Ministry of Education, Department of Elementary Education & Literacy, Government of India, their contract will be terminated.
“SHGs will continue to provide mid dal meal to students; Akshay Patra will serve 5000 students; we have followed all selection criteria” said Sawant
He further said that as of now, we have only awarded the midday meal contract for 5,000 students in North Goa to Akshay Patra.
“We have not yet considered South Goa. If we receive any complaints, we can reevaluate and consider it. there should not be any fear in the minds of the Goan Women Self Help Group with regards to the protection of their interest.” he added
Chief Minister also stated that 5,000 students benefit from the midday meal program given to akshay patra, and there were five bids submitted, with Akshay Patra being the selected bidder.
“No local Goan groups submitted bids. He assured that all criteria were followed during the selection process and emphasized that the government would not interfere with the financial aspects of the self-help groups,” he added
Sawant said that the number of students served will remain unchanged, and the government has no intention of removing any self-help groups from the program.
MLA Venzy Viegas suggested that instead of handing over the midday meal program to a company, the focus should be on training and upgrading Self-Help Groups (SHGs). He emphasized that this approach would help boost the local economy.
