Strict action if quality of school mid-day meals is poor: AP Min. Nara Lokesh

Amaravati, Mar 13 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Education Minister Nara Lokesh on Friday warned that strict action would be taken against those responsible if the taste, hygiene, quality or nutritional value of mid-day meals served in government schools is found to be poor.

Reviewing the mid-day meal scheme with senior officials of the education department over the phone, Lokesh  said utmost care must be taken while preparing and serving food to students.

The review followed an incident reported from Mylavaram town in NTR district, where the headmaster of the Taraka Ramanagar Mandal Parishad Model Primary School allegedly misled students and circulated claims on social media that the food served was of poor quality.

Officials informed the minister that an inquiry had found the headmaster, identified as John, had allegedly attempted to spread misinformation about the scheme in a planned manner.

Lokesh directed officials to effectively counter such attempts and ensure the credibility of the programme.

He said the same level of care taken while preparing food for one’s own children should be ensured while serving meals to students in government schools.

The minister instructed that once the food is prepared, a teacher must taste and check its quality every day before it is served to students.

Lokesh also directed officials to establish a ‘centralised kitchen system’ at the earliest on a war footing to bring systemic improvements in the scheme.

He suggested that MLAs visit at least one school in their constituencies every week and share the mid-day meal with students to assess its quality and identify any shortcomings.

Parents can also provide feedback or lodge complaints regarding the meals through the LEAP mobile application, he said.

The minister said the government would not tolerate any negligence in the prestigious mid-day meal scheme being implemented in the name of Apara Annapurnamma Dokka Seethamma.

He also warned that strict action would be taken against those spreading false propaganda about the scheme for personal or political reasons.