HRD minister asks MPs to monitor mid-day meal scheme

New Delhi: HRD Minister Smriti Irani has written to all MPs asking them to be part of committees set up to monitor the mid-day meal scheme which has seen complaints of poor quality of food and corruption.

Irani told Lok Sabha that she has written to all MPs requesting them to be part of their respective district- level committees set up to monitor the mid-day meal scheme.

“A district-level committee under the chairmanship of the senior most Member of Parliament (of the district) can monitor the mid-day meal scheme quarterly. The team shall comprise all MPs, MLAs and members of zila parishad and the district magistrate will be member-secretary,” she said.

To a question on construction of kitchens for mid-day meal in schools, Irani said the cost is shared in the ratio of 75:25 with the states, and in the North East the cost is shared in the ratio of 90:10. She said cooks get an honorarium of Rs 1,000 per month from the Centre and the states were free to raise it.