Anush Pandith

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Feb 9: "The mid-day meal project of the government has been extended to all government aided-schools. But Sri Rama High School, Kalladka and Devi High School at Punacha had arranged mid-day meals by getting aid from Kollur Mookambika temple. As the government cancelled it, the students faced hardship. Therefore, the government immediately asked the institutes to submit requests for mid-day meals under the government's Akshara Dasoha scheme. The administrators of the schools have not shown any interest to obtain the facilities under the project," said zilla panchayat (ZP) member M S Mohammed in the press conference held in Congress Bhavan here.

Speaking to reporters later, he said, "The education officer and the team of Akshara Dasoha went to both the schools and asked the headmasters to submit their requests but they have said that they will inform about it after discussing with administration. So far they have not shown any interest. All private aided schools are benefiting from Akshara Dasoha. Why are these two schools refusing mid-day meals though they receive Ksheera Bhagya, cycles, shoes and socks? The rules that are applicable to all other private schools should apply here also. We will protest or do whatever necessary if the two schools do not comply," he said.

"Children were made to beg here though it is a criminal offense. MP Shobha Karandlaje had brought thousands of children out in the scorching heat and made them beg. The government and the district in-charge minister are being insulted in school programmes. Is this fair?" he said.

"The mid-day meals scheme is meant for primary and high school children. The school administration says that meals should be provided to 3,000 college students also. We do not oppose if the government provides them. But other children in the schools should be provided meals starting from tomorrow. We should not hear from school children that mid-day meals are not given. Nobody should indulge in politics in this connection," said zilla panchayat member Sahul Hameed.

Zilla panchayat member Prakash Thumbe, Zilla panchayat member Manjula Madhava Mave, Mamatha Gatty and others were present.