| Construction work of kitchens, stores yet to commence | | JK Govt fails to implement MDM scheme | | Bivek Mathur
Early Times Report
Jammu, May 23: In yet another startling revelation made by Director, Mid Day Meal (MDM) Scheme, Ministry of Human Resources and Development (MHRD), Government of India, the Education Department, Jammu and Kashmir has failed to procure 3431 kitchen devices in the financial year 2014-15.
Further, expressing concern over the weak execution of the Mid Day Meal Scheme in Jammu and Kashmir, the Director (MDM-MHRD) said that construction work for the sanctioned 4697 Unit Kitchen cum Store has not even started.
Union Secretary, School Education & literacy (SE&L) has expressed deep concern over non completion of sanctioned kitchen-cum-stores and has directed the Secretary (Education), Government of Jammu & Kashmir to look into this issue personally and complete the backlog within the stipulated time period.
As per the available Programme Approval Board (PAB) minutes of meeting for Mid Day Meal Scheme held on April 17, 2015, the Secretary Jammu and Kashmir has further assured that the construction work on the 4697 Kitchen-cum-Stores will be completed by December 2015 and periodic reports i.e. through MPR and QPR will be sent regularly to MHRD in respect of the progress made on the construction works.
As far as procurement of kitchen-devices is concerned, it was observed that 3431 kitchen devices (FY 2014-15 - 2119 and FY 2013-14 - 1312) have not been procured. Union Secretary (SE&L) has expressed deep concern over non procurement of sanctioned kitchen-devices whereas the Secretary (Education), Government of Jammu & Kashmir has conveyed it to the Union Secretary that he will personally look into the issues and has assured that procurement of kitchen devices will be done well before June 2015.
Repeated attempts to contact Shaleen Kabra, Commissioner/Secretary, Education, Jammu and Kashmir went in vain as he didn’t reply to the phone calls made by this scribe. |
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