Pulses in mid-day meal scheme in Haryana

Haryana government today said pulses for mid-day meal scheme will be given on a subsidised rate of Rs 20 per kg in all government schools in the state.
The decision will further help to meet nutritional needs of children, Haryana Education Minister Geeta Bhukkal said.
The department had raised the demand, which was recently approved by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, she said.
Haryana government will implement Food Security scheme from August 20 throughout the state, the Minister said.
Besides implementing the Food Security scheme, the government has also decided to provide 2.5-kg pulses per month at a subsidized rate of Rs 20 per kg to each BPL family.

While expressing grief over the incident in Bihar where 23 children had lost their lives after consuming mid-day meal, Bhukkal said all the officers have been directed to ensure proper monitoring of the scheme in Haryana.

"Responsibility of cooks as well as school heads has also been fixed. They themselves will thoroughly check the quality of mid-day meal being served to children so as to avoid any kind of untoward incident," she said.
The Minister said she inspected some schools and was satisfied with the quality of mid-day meal being served there.
All the officers concerned have been directed to visit the schools in their respective areas to check the quality of mid-day meal, she added.

The officials concerned have been asked not to receive any sub standard items provided by the designated suppliers under the mid-day meal scheme, Bhukkal said.
Supply of grains to schools is being made through Confed, Hafed and Food Corporation of India, she said.
Menu of mid-day meal had also been revised to ensure protein and adequate calories to children, the minister said adding, about 16 new dishes were being served to students in schools.
Special attention should be paid to cleanliness and hygiene, she added.