In a crucial hearing on Tuesday, the Kerala High Court demanded both State and Central authorities to disclose the measures taken for the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman, commonly known as the mid-day meal scheme, in government-aided schools. This inquiry stemmed from a petition highlighting the financial burden placed on school principals due to insufficient fund allocation for the program.
The petition, filed last year, brought to light the plight of school principals who were compelled to pay out of their own pockets to sustain the noon-meal scheme. During the hearing on July 2, the State government revealed an allocation of ₹232 crores for the 2024-2025 academic year to cover the costs of supplementary nutrition.
However, Justice Ziyad Rahman AA noted the absence of concrete steps and detailed plans for the distribution and disbursement of these funds. The court has now requested detailed statements from both the State and Central governments regarding the actions taken to implement the mid-day meal scheme effectively.
The petitioners, including the Kerala Pradesh School Teachers’ Association (KPSTA) and headmasters from various schools, argued that the funds provided were insufficient and delayed, forcing headmasters to finance the scheme from their own salaries or through borrowed money. They contended that the government should either fully fund the scheme in advance or discontinue it to alleviate the financial strain on school heads.
The court acknowledged the Central government’s Mid-day Meal Rules, which outline a system of committees to oversee the scheme’s implementation, emphasizing that the responsibility for funding rests jointly with the State and Central governments. The petitioners were represented by senior counsel, while the government had its own legal representatives.
The next hearing is scheduled for July 10, where further clarity on the matter is expected.
Kerala_Pradesh_School_Teachers_Assosciation___ors_v_State_of_Kerala___anr
