Bhubaneswar: The Mid-Day Meal (MDM) services in schools in Odisha would resume from April 2022. This was informed by Sanat Kumar Mohanty, State Nodal Officer, MDM.
It is to be noted here that the MDM service in schools across the State was suspended due to the COVID pandemic.
In his letter to the district Collectors, Mohanty said, “As you are aware that PM Poshan (MDM) at schools has been stopped following closure of schools due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in the State. Dry ration (rice) and Food Security Allowances (Cooking Cost) have however been provided to the students in lieu of hot cooked meals at school since March 2020. While dry ration (rice) has been sanctioned to provide rice to students upto March 2022, cooking cost has been transferred to the account of students through their bank accounts in DBT mode. The cooking cost for the balance period of 2021-22 shall be provided on receipt of funds from Govt. of India. In view of the significant decrease in the corona caseload in the State, schools have reopened in the meanwhile and it has been decided now to serve hot cooked meals to the students at schools from April-2022 following covid guidelines. A Standard Operating Procedure has been prepared following which necessary arrangements may please be made for smooth implementation of the Mid-Day Meal programme.
Mohanty also has issued a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the MDM services. From preparation to the distribution of MDM, everything will be done in strict adherence to Covid guidelines.
Ms Kalinga