NT Reporter
Panaji
Allegations of unequal treatment in the implementation of the mid-day meal scheme saw the state government come under sharp criticism in House, as Opposition MLAs accused the government of favouring Akshaya Patra Foundation while neglecting self-help groups (SHGs) and underpaying thousands of meal helpers.
Legislators alleged financial discrimination, with funds being withheld from SHGs despite prompt and enhanced payments to Akshaya Patra Foundation. They said this undermined local women’s groups and contradicted the government’s assurances.
Fatorda GFP MLA Vijai Sardesai said the government owed Rs 6.78 crore to SHGs under the mid-day meal scheme, citing lack of funds as the reason for non-payment. At the same time, he said, Rs 2.05 crore was paid to Akshaya Patra on June 10, 2025, with its coverage expanded from 2,000 to 5,000 students. “Are we now importing unemployment along with food?” he asked.
Concerns were also raised about the remuneration of over 2,300 mid-day meal helpers, who Sardesai said were earning Rs 1,000 per month until a recent revision raised it to Rs 2,000—still below the statutory minimum wage. He said, “This is not an honorarium, it is exploitation.”
He claimed that SHGs were being removed despite earlier government assurances to the contrary. He cited the example of Sakshi Self-Help Group, which he said was dropped from supplying meals to schools in Sankhali and left with Rs 4.7 lakh in unpaid bills.
“They had taken loans to run the group, yet the CM has started dismantling women’s self-help groups,” he said.
St Andre RGP MLA Viresh Borkar supported the concerns raised, saying meal-related dues to SHGs remained pending across the state.
