Food fort thought Mid day meal idea is not specifically tailored to places like Goa. Goa is well placed on income index The mid day meal is not suitable for Goa. Most of the parents are well placed to provide suitable, nourishing snacks to the children and the others have plenty of pocket money to splurge Besides many simply do not take advantage of meals ,even though they are counted The menu is not palatable to many a student with their background. It is the migrant ,poor population ,who benefit from the scheme, since many may be coming to schools hungry and not sure of the meal at home on return. The menu should only be catered to those who opt , with the parents written consent This will reduce the numbers, so that the meager amount sanctioned could be better utilised It is presumed that the tenders are well scrutinised, but the doubts of underhand dealings are not unearthly to assume the process of Govt. in tendering. The parents through P.T.A. should be on the board ,when such tenders are to awarded to their children The schools starting at 8.a.m and closing at 1.30p.m. with the recess of 15 minutes do not need the mid day meals, since they reach homes for the lunch The onus on the schools and the Headmaster to be guinea pigs to certify the edibility of the mid day meals is ridiculous. The parents of needy children be given weekly cash incentives, deducting the days of absence ,that in a way will ensure regular attendance. The other better alternative would be to entrust the parents of the schools to prepare the food. They will have no vested interest to profit The scheme should not be forced because of huge grants allotted to every state and the need to utilise the same Statistics show that Govt of Goa is underutilising the grants and hence the inspecting staf is under pressure to consume the quota.The frequent , recurring food poisoning of students is alarming and rightly scares the parents and children as well. Are the suppliers liable to the damage and accountable, or is it just another incident to be ignored and forgotten? There must be a serious rethink on the scheme, applying to the vulnerable population in selected areas and to limited numbers, who are socially disadvantaged The scheme should be motivated not with the interest of self groups, but the wellfare of the students Do not subject the parents and the students to the trauma of food poisoning through mid day meals Nelson Lopes Chinchinim 9850926276.
