For the first time ever, the Ministry of Human Resource and Development has announced mid-day meal rankings of all states which are part of this scheme across India. With a success score of 77.79 per cent in the implementation of the programme, Karnataka has topped over other states. Punjab with 76.81 per cent, Daman and Diu with 71.40 per cent, Himachal Pradesh with 71.31 per cent and Bihar with a score of 70.36 are among the top five states.
The Akshaya Patra Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation that runs the government mid-day meal programme has contributed significantly towards helping Karnataka state achieve this success rate. The NGO, in collaboration with the state government, provides free mid-day meals to 4,60,046 children from 2,627 government schools across the state.
"The rankings, done for the first time by the ministry, give a fair idea about the areas that a state needs to improve upon. We are sharing these rankings with all states and will refine the next rankings," said Amarjit Singh, Additional Secretary, HRD ministry. The survey was conducted in the first quarter of this fiscal year during April to June, 2013.
The states have been ranked based on 15 parameters that include number of beneficiaries reached out to, foodgrain utilisation against allocation, payment to Food Corporation of India, utilisation of funds, honorarium to cook-cum-helpers, monitoring and supervision, infrastructure and health.
Source: https://www.indianexpress.com/news/Karnataka-govt-tops-midday-meal-rankin...