Mid-day meal scheme

Sir,
The Bihar Mid-day meal tragedy has awaken the nation to a reality that all is not well with this scheme. The scheme had in the past drawn attention of the nation for being faulty. But the attention did not last for late. The experts while discussing the scheme suggested several measures but most of them have not been taken into consideration by the implementing agencies. The scheme has failed to take off because it is born with some faults. Like other schools in the country. Schools in Jammu and Kashmir to have mid-day meal provision. One can see that most schools do not have a proper place for cooking and serving the meals to students. The meals are made in the open in unhygienic conditions. When it comes to serving the meals, students are asked to sit on the ground. The students do not even wash hands during eating. Most of the schools lack infrastructure. The food articles are not stored carefully. At times even mice feed on them.
Besides, teachers who are supposed to teach students are seen collecting food from ration stores and making record statements etc. This has affected the teaching-learning process in schools.
Besides, there is proper mechanism in place to supervise the quality of food items served in schools. As such, a solution needs to be found for making the scheme more effective.
Yours etc….
Shashant Sood
Jammu