Natl-level consultation on mid day meal

SHILLONG: A two-day National Level Consultation on preparation of Mid Day Meal (MDM) rules under National Food Security Act, 2013 for Mid Day Meal Scheme and roadmap for extending benefit of Social Security Schemes to cook cum helpers was held at Hotel Pinewood here on Monday.  The programme was jointly organized by the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the Education Department.
In her opening remarks, the Secretary, Department of School Education and Literacy, MHRD, Vrinda Swarup said that the implementation of the MDM is a crucial issue and therefore framing of the rules is significant to cope with the rising situation. While highlighting the need for personal hygiene in schools, Swarup informed that under the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaign there is a provision for the construction of school toilets and that the school authorities and the concerned department should make provisions for arranging of hand-washing facilities in schools.
In context of the Mid Day Meal Scheme, overview and presentation of relevant provisions of the National Food Security Act, 2013 was presented by the Director, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution, Nilambuj Saran and by the Director, MDM, MHRD.