Kolkata, Oct. 1 -- School Education Minister Dipak Barman on Thursday said there was no shortage of funds for the PM POSHAN scheme and dismissed reports that mid-day meals had been stopped in schools.
Speaking at a Press conference, Barman said the scheme was now being managed through a new app introduced by the Centre. He said a brief delay had occurred during the transition but the issue had been resolved and funds released at all levels.
"Some rumours are being spread about PM POSHAN that the mid-day meal is being stopped or that money for the mid-day meal is not coming. In reality, there is no such thing," Barman said.
He, however, acknowledged that there could be isolated cases among around 81,000 schools where funds had not reached because of technical issues. "If we get any information regarding non-receipt of funds, we will definitely examine," he said.
Barman said Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari was personally monitoring implementation of the scheme and warned that strict action would be taken if students' nutrition was affected.
The department has sent additional funds to districts for the programme. Barman said Rs 424.4334 crore had been allocated up to November for cooks and helpers, while Rs 573 crore had been earmarked for cooking costs. Rice has also been supplied across the state, he said, adding that the department had released around Rs 997 crore for the scheme.
Barman also announced revised honorariums for several categories of staff. The management staff honorarium will rise to Rs 10,000 from Rs 7,000, while Sikshabandhus will receive Rs 14,954 instead of Rs 9,954. Special staff will get Rs 19,954, up from Rs 14,954, and assistants and female assistants Rs 16,941, against Rs 11,941 earlier.
The revised payments will take effect from October 1. Barman said the increases in honorariums and allowances had been announced ahead of the Durga Puja period.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.