1

National Programme

of

Mid-Day Meal Scheme

[MDMS]

Annual Work Plan & Budget

2015-16

STATE PROJECT OFFICE

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT

GOVERNMENT OF SIKKIM

GANGTOK: TASHILING

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SIKKIM MAP WITH

DISTRICTS LOCATION

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1. INTRODUCTION

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF THE STATE.

ikkim – a small Himalayan State became the 22nd state of India in the

year 1975. Situated in-between latitudes 270-280 N and longitudes 880-

890 S, in the North Eastern part of India, the State shares its borders with

China in the north, Bhutan in the East, Nepal in the west and Darjeeling

District in the south. Altitude ranging from 300 Meters in the southern parts

of the State to 859 meters in the Northern, Western and Eastern parts of the

State. It has 453 villages and 9 towns with a population of 607688 (2011

Census). It is obvious that this mountainous state has very less inhabitable

land which approximately 13% of the land is habitable.

Table No: 1. District-wise areas and proportion of landmass Sl.No District Capital Area in Sq. Km Proportion of landmass Towns Villages

1. East Gangtok 954 13.44% 4 134

2. West Gyalshing 1166 16.43% 2 121

3. North Mangan 4226 59.56% 1 53

4. South Namchi 750 10.57% 2 145

Sikkim Gangtok 7096 - 9 453

There are four districts of Sikkim viz. North District- with 55.56% of the

total area of Sikkim which is 7096 square kilometers. 13.44% falls under the

East District, 10.57% in the South District and 16.43% in the West District.

Most of the 7096 sq km of Sikkim consists of Himalayan glaciers,

mountainous terrain that is interspersed with ravines and green valleys.

The State is blessed with rich natural resources like dense forest, variety of

flora and fauna, lakes, glaciers and rivers such as Teesta and Rangit which

originating from the serene glaciers of the Himalayas meander through before

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their confluence at Darjeeling District, West Bengal. Over 4000 species of

different plants and shrubs, around 700 species of rare Orchids and

rhododendrons have transformed Sikkim into a nature’s paradise. The three

main communities in Sikkim viz. Lepchas, Bhutias and Nepalis live

harmoniously, with Agriculture being their mainstay of livelihood and thus

the backbone of the State’s economy. The unparallel beauty of the State and

very friendly and hospitable people are its competitive and comparative

advantages.

LITERACY:-

Table :3.Population in the Age-Group 0-6, Number of Literates and Literacy Rate for State and

Districts : 2011

Sl.

No

.

State/

District

Total Population Population in age

group 0-6 Number of literates Literacy rate

P M F P M F P M F P M F

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Sikkim 607 688 321 661 286 027 610 77 314 18 296 59 449 294 253 364 195 930 82.20 87.30 76.43

1 North

District 433 54 245 13 188 41 447 9 236 1 211 8 300 84 183 92 116 92 77.39 83.03 69.92

2 West

District 136 299 702 25 660 74 149 57 766 9 728 8 954 81 530 84 423 97 78.69 84.86 72.12

3 South

District 146 742 766 63 700 79 150 70 773 7 733 3 108 054 600 07 480 47 82.07 87.06 76.58

4 East

District 281 293 150 260 131 033 265 71 136 51 129 20 215 675 121 881 937 94 84.67 89.22 79.41

Source Census 2011

The literacy rate as per the 2001 census was 69.68%, which was

higher than all India average (65.38%).The literacy rate of Sikkim as per

census 2011 is 82.20%. The female literacy rate as per census 2001 was

61.46%, which was also higher than corresponding all India figures of

54.38%.the female literacy rate of the state as per census 2011 is

76.43%.

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1.1 BRIEF HISTORY, OBJECTIVES AND RATIONALE OF THE MID DAY

MEAL PROGRAMME

National Programme for Nutritional support to Primary Education Mid-

Day Meal Scheme was launched as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on 15th

August, 1995 in a phased manner all over India. Its objective was to boost

“Universalization of Primary Education” by increasing enrolment, retention,

attendance and simultaneously impacting on nutrition of students in primary

classes”. The programme originally covered children of primary level (classes I

to V) in government, local body and government aided schools. In October

2002, the programme was extended to cover children studying in Education

Guarantee Scheme (EGS) & AIE centers and from the same year the hot

cooked meal was started in the State of Sikkim. Prior to the year 2001-02 the

food grain (Rice) provided by the Government of India @3kgs per child per

month for 10 academic months in a year, was distributed as dry rations to the

children. However, the Supreme Court in its order dated: 28.11.2001 in WP(C)

NO. 196 of 2001- People’s Union for Civil Liberties versus Union of India and

other, directed all the state governments to provide cooked Mid-Day-Meal

containing 300 calories and 8 to 10 grams of protein per serving.

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Cooked Mid-Day-Meal Scheme was implemented in Sikkim from 2002.

District-wise and Gender-wise disaggregation of Population of Sikkim

Sl. No District Male Female Total

1 East 150260 131033 281293

2 West 70225 66074 136299

3 North 24513 18841 43354

4 South 76663 70079 146742

State 321661 286027 607688 Source Census 2011

Children Population:

Sl.No District

6-11 Years 11-14 Years. 6-14 Years

Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total Boys Girls Total

1. East 15735 15566 31301 7871 7262 15133 23606 22828 46434

2. West 10685 10488 21173 3565 3347 6912 14250 13835 28085

3. North 2804 2819 5623 1361 1235 2596 4165 4054 8219

4. South 7884 7341 15225 6084 6034 12118 13968 13375 27343

Total 37108 36214 73322 18881 17878 36759 55989 54092 110081

Source: Household Survey 2007.

1.2. Management Structure:

State Project Office, MDM headed by the Principal Secretary, HRDD,

State Project Director [MDM], Jt. Director, Deputy Director and Asst.

Project Coordinator.

Joint Director at the district level is the overall In-charge with Dy.

Director as In-charge MDM and Asst. Dir, AEO at every block level to

monitor the MDM at the school level. District Collector is the Chairman

of the District MDM.

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1.3. Process of Plan Formulation.

Keeping in view of the experiences gained during previous years for

implementation of MDM in the schools, basically the short comings of the

procedures, mechanisms hitherto adopted are kept in mind in terms of

transportation, cooking, preparation of quality meal and hygienic and quality

preparation of the meals cooked in schools. These issues have been made as

base line of preparation of plan. On top of this, the coverage of school children

including all schools under SSA, Monastic Schools and Sanskrit Pathshalas

have been thought of and included in the plan for well being of the school

children who are being served hot mid day meal. Secondly, procedures of

systematic percolation of information to the lowest level of field functionaries

and ensuring transparency, quality and accountability by all individual

departmental personnel involved in the mid day meal scheme was also the

base line of our plan. Further, the new Guidelines of MDM issued by the

MHRD, New Delhi for cooking assistances, transportation etc. are kept in

mind while preparing the Plan Formulation for making the implementation

MDM more effective and worth replicating by others.

From 2013-14 preparation of Plan has been based on the district plan.

2. DESCRIPTION AND ASSESSMENT OF THE PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTED IN THE

CURRENT YEAR (2014-15) AND PROPOSAL FOR NEXT YEAR [2015-16] WITH

REFERENCE TO:

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2.1. REGULARITY AND WHOLESOMENESS OF MID DAY MEALS SERVED TO CHILDREN;

REASONS FOR PROGRAMME INTERRUPTION, IF ANY AND PLANNING TO MINIMIZE

THEM.

Cooked Mid-Day-Meal served to school children of Sikkim up-to Primary

level (class I-V) from 2002 and from class (VI-VIII) are being provided from the

academic session 2008, Though, GOI norms don’t cover the children of Pre-

Primary classes for hot cooked meal but Sikkim has unique system of such

pre-primary classes in all the Schools, these children were given hot cooked

meal till the end of academic session of 2009. However, the Pre-Primary

classes are now attached to Aaganwadi centers under Social Welfare

Department from the academic session 2010.

Sikkim state has not come across any major interruption except a few cases

of slight delay in reaching the food grains during monsoon seasons because of

blockage of roads, however, with a view to mitigate such problems the Heads

of Schools are advised to keep buffer stock of food grains during such period.

2.2. DETAILS ABOUT WEEKLY MENU

2.1.1: Weekly menu- day wise.

Week Items

Monday Green Vegetable, Dal and rice.

Tuesday Chana/Nutrila gravy and rice.

Wednesday Fried rice with pickle

Thursday Potato, Dal and rice.

Friday Beans/cabbage/squash and rice.

Saturday kheer

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2.2.2: Additional food items provided.

Fruits, milks, eggs and meat are provided once in a month to the

children by the schools having high enrolment.

2.2.3: Usage of double fortified salt.

Almost all the schools are using double fortified salt as per the direction

and its consumption prevents the children from anaemia, iron deficiency and

supplement the iodine.

2.2.4: At what level menu is being decided/fixed.

The menu is being decided at the school level only.

2.2.5: Provision of local variation in the menu.

The local variation of food items in the menu of mid-day meal of schools

which are especially located in the rural areas are Gundruk [dry green

vegetable], Sinki [dry radish], squash and spinach which are easily available

and good to taste with nutritional value.

2.2.6: Timing of serving of Mid-Day Meal at school level.

Hot cooked mid-day meal is being served to all the children upto class-VII

during the lunch break time i.e. [12pm to 1.30pm]

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2.3. FOOD GRAINS MANAGEMENT,

2.3.1: Timeframe for lifting, District wise lifting calendar of foodgrains.

After receiving Food-grains allocation from the MHRD, MDM Cell, HRDD

allocates food-grains district-wise with a copy to Area Manager, Food

Corporation of India [FCI], Gangtok. The allocation of food-grains in our state

is on Quarterly basis, as such, the Food Corporation of India [FCI] allocates

or issue Release Order for lifting of foodgrains a month in advance before

every quarter of a year to cater foodgrains in every school with the periodicity

of two months.

2.3.2: System for ensuring lifting of FAQ foodgrains [joint inspections at

the time of lifting etc.]

The MDM In-charge, after collecting Release Order of food-grains from

the office of the Food Corporation of India and as per the enrolment duly

approved by the District Collector, [Chairman] of District MDM Committee,

further coordinates transporters for lifting of food-grains from respective FCI

go-downs, ensuring that the schools are getting exact quantity of food-grains

allocated to them.

2.3.3: Transportation and distribution.

The foodgrains is delivered to the respective schools by the suppliers from

FCI godown accompanied by the MDM incharge, who obtains receipt from the

schools concerned.

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2.3.4: Whether unspent balance of foodgrains with the schools is

adjusted from the allocation of the respective schools.

It is ensured that the schools get only required food-grains, as a result

school doesn’t have surplus food-grains.

2.3.5: Number of schools receiving food-grains at doorstep of school.

Most of the schools are provided food-grains at the doorstep.

2.3.6: Storage facility at different levels.

Barring few schools which are located in remote areas, most of the

schools have storage facility.

2.3.7: Challenges faced and plan to overcome them.

As per the directives of the Govt. of India, the payment of cost of food-

grains to Food Corporation of India has been decentralized to the district level

from 2010-11 and complied accordingly. The costs of food-grains are being

borne by the Govt. of India.

With regard to food grains management:- after having received the

Release Order from FCI (Gangtok), the District Collector authorizes an

officer/Incharge Mid-Day-Meal of the district to lift food-grains from the FCI

Godown. The District In-charge shall lift the food grains from FCI Jorethang

and Rangpo (Sikkim). The food grain is lifted and restored to certain Principal

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Distribution Centers or Godowns earmarked by the Human Resource

Development Department. FCI Jorethang center caters for South & West

districts whereas; Rangpo center caters East & North districts.

From the academic session 2010 the transportation of food grain have

been assigned to private transporter and food grain shall be reached to all

complex organizers without delay.

The district has not prepared any calendar for the lifting of food-grains

from the FCI go-down. Because, the lifting so far done is on the basis of as

and when the FCI releases Release Order. No any such complaints about the

inadequacy of food-grains at the school level have been raised so far.

2.4: PAYMENT OF COST OF FOOD-GRAINS TO FCI.

The payment of cost of food-grains is made up-to 3rd Quarter, Oct-Dec,

2014.

2.4.1: System of payment of cost of food-grains to FCI.

Earlier, fund were transferred to districts and the payment to FCI made

from respective district pay and account offices varied, as a result, there was

delay in payment to FCI..

Keeping this problem in view, the state authority decided to make

payment from state office from 2014 to facilitate early payment and cleared all

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the pending bills of FCI with proper authentication and confirmation from

respective districts.

2.4.2: Status of pending bills of FCI of the previous year.

There is no pending bill of FCI now. The payment has been cleared up-

to December, 2014.

2.4.3: Status of monthly meetings by the State Nodal Officer with the

FCI.

Meeting by state nodal officer with FCI is conducted as and when

required for.

2.4.4: The process of reconciliation of payment with the concerned

offices of FCI.

As stated above, the bill submitted by the FCI is tallied with the lifting

confirmation of food-grains from the districts, with all relevant details and

then sent to pay and accounts office for the cheque.

2.4.5: Relevant issues regarding payment to FCI.

Earlier, there was issue of delay in payment to FCI which has been

resolved with the system of centralized payment.

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2.5: FUND FLOW MECHANISM- SYSTEM OF RELEASE OF FUNDS [CENTRAL & STATE].

2.5.1: Mode of release of funds at different levels, [e-transfer of funds

directly from state to school/implementing agency].

During the current year state has introduced or designed state

webportal to generate e-bill to facilitate fund release directly from state to

school/implementing agency’s accounts. But, the Green Channel and State

Web-portal being newly introduced is taking time to get institutionalized.

2.5.2: Dates when fund released to state

Authority/Directorate/District/Block/Gram Panchayat and finally to the

Cooking Agency/School.

Sanction

letter, date

Amount Received by Finance

Deptt. Govt. of Sikkim

To Distt To

school

Adhoc 30.4.2014 260.26 May, 14 last week 18th

Sept, 14 Oct, 14

1st Instalment 24.7.2014 349.08 Aug, 14 last week

2nd

instalment 12.12.2014 430.80 Jan, 15

1040.14 584.68 584.68

2.5.3: Reasons for delay in release of funds at different levels.

Government of India transfers the fund in three installments to the

State Government against the budget provision provided in the Annual Plan.

Separate heads of accounts are maintained for the Central and the State

funds. The MDM Cell, HRDD had decentralized the system to the districts to

block level and initiated en-bloc sanctioned of funds as per the PAB approved

to facilitate the early payment to districts, Though the obtaining of the enbloc

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sanction takes quite some time because as per the financial

procedure/norms, the file has to be processed through Planning Deptt,

Finance Deptt and after that to government for cabinet approval. As soon as

the approval and sanctioned accorded the Accounts Section, HRDD transfers

the funds to the districts as per the approved PAB.

At district level: The District Collector of the respective districts, is the

Chairman, Joint Director are Vice Chairmen, CDPO as member and Dy.

Director as member secretary/nodal officer. Schools heads/SMC submit their

bills in a form of statement which is duly certified by the heads of the

Institution, cooking agencies, area Panchayat and SMCs supported by the

bills of [vegetables, condiments, pulses, dal, LPG gas etc]. On the basis of the

bills submitted by School heads to concern Block Administrative Centres, the

district officials / in-charges concerned shall compile the bills in a statement

certified by the district authority and submit to the MDM division, HRDD

(HQ). The procedure being followed for release is same for both the central

and state fund. Once the cheques are issued they get disbursed to the

SMDC/NGO/SHG/PTA who are the agencies.

2.6: Cook cum helpers.

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2.6.1: System and mode of payment of honorarium, of honorarium to

cook-cum-helpers and implementing agencies viz. NGOs / SHGs / Trust

/ Centralized kitchens etc.

System of payment of honorarium to cook cum helpers and

implementing agencies is similar as mentioned above in 2.5.1.

2.6.2: Rate of honorarium to cook-cum-helpers,

Earlier honorariums to cook-cum-helpers were being paid within the

cooking cost. But from 2010-11 GOI had introduced Rs.1000/- per cook-cum-

helpers with prescribed guidelines of 90:10 sharing pattern between centre

and the state.

2.6.3: Number of cook-cum-helpers having bank accounts.

No cook-cum-helpers are having separate bank accounts. Because,

schools located in rural areas are far away from the banks and also the most

of the cooks being traditional, is not comfortable transacting with Banks.

2.6.4: Payment of honorarium to cook-cum-helpers through their bank

accounts,

Payment of honorarium to cook cum helpers is done through school

MDM account, which is in the name of school head and school SMC

member.

2.6.5: This section should also include the details of cook-cum-helpers

like eligibility as per norms, approval of cook- cum-helpers, engaged and

the strategy to fill the gap (if any)

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The school authority engages cook cum helper at their own discretion

as per the norms specified in the guidelines.

2.6.6: Provisions for health check-ups of Cook-cum-Helpers,

So far there is no such specific provision for health check-ups of cook

cum helpers. But, realizing the grave importance of the health and hygiene

of cook cum helpers, the MDM cell, HRDD, conducts training for CCH at

district levels to make them aware about the health and hygiene by the help

of nutritionists and doctors.

2.6.7: Whether cook-cum-helpers are wearing head gears and gloves at

the time of cooking of meals.

Cook cum helpers in urban areas are wearing head gears and gloves.

2.6.8: Modalities for apportionment of cook-cum-helpers engaged at

school level and working at centralized kitchens, in case of schools

being served through centralized kitchens,

There is no such system of centralized kitchen shed in our state.

2.7: PROCUREMENT AND STORAGE OF COOKING INGREDIENTS AND CONDIMENTS.

2.7.1: System for procuring ( good quality Agmark / FPO) pulses,

vegetables including leafy green vegetables, salt, condiments, etc. and

other commodities.

The responsibility of procurement of ingredients viz: pulses, vegetables,

leafy ones, salt condiments, oil and fuel etc along with the engagement of cook-

cum-helpers are given to SMDC/cooking agencies. The SMDC procures all

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cooking ingredients at their school level in due consultation with the school

head. As such the district transfers the total cooking cost and honorarium to

cook-cum helpers to SMDC or any stake holder being assigned.

2.7.2: Whether FIFO method has been adopted in usage of pulses and

condiments etc. or not.

The FIFO method has been adopted not only in pulses and

condiments but also for food-grains stored.

2.7.3: Arrangements for safe storage of ingredients and condiments in

kitchens.

Arrangement for safe storage of ingredients and condiments in kitchen

are made by the schools under the supervision of school heads and local Panchayats.

2.8: SYSTEM FOR COOKING, SERVING AND SUPERVISING MID-DAY MEALS IN THE

SCHOOL AND MEASURES TO PREVENT ANY UNTOWARD HAPPENING.

The School Managing Development Committee (SMDC)/Self Help

Groups/NGOs engage a cook (local person- most preferably, a woman of

financially weak condition or from a backward class). Mid-Day-Meal cooking

and serving is supervised by the members of SMC, Head of the Institutions,

Teachers, Guardians (mothers) in turn to check whether the meals are

hygienic, properly cooked or not. The Officers from the respective BAC and

MDM, HQ also visit the schools regularly to monitor the mid-day meal. The

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cooking agencies express their inability to provide eggs and fruits on regular

basis as they are very expensive [egg cost Rs.5/-] per piece and cannot be met

from the existing rate of conversion cost. The problems are seen more in the

schools having lesser enrolment, especially in rural areas.

2.9: Kitchen cum Stores.

2.9.1: Procedure and status of construction of kitchen-cum-store,

Kitchen shed are constructed from funds released from the centre under

MDM Programme. Fund for kitchen shed for 245 schools amounting to Rs.

147.00 lakhs has been released during 2006-07 and utilized. Against the

sanctioned amount of Rs. 333.00 lakhs for 555 schools during 2007-08 by the

GOI, 518 kitchens shed has been constructed with the amount of Rs.310.80

lakh. GCI and the roof truss and its peripherals are being supplied to schools

through SIMFED [Sikkim Marketing Federation Deptt], Govt. of Sikkim and

50% of the remaining amount are made as advance payment to SMCs to

execute the work and the final payment are made on the basis of the

Completion Report by the Heads of the institution, Panchayats, Asst. Directors

of the concerned BAC (Block Administrative Centre), report is compulsorily

supported by the Photographs and other relevant documents while submitting

the bills. GOI sanctioned Rs.60000/- per unit of kitchen shed but in the hilly

terrain like Sikkim, lands are very sloppy, uneven and it is very difficult to

construct kitchen sheds. As such, state government sanctioned Rs.145.04 lakh

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for 518 kitchen sheds in addition to Rs.333.00 lakh released by the GOI. GOI

released Rs.35.40 during 2008-09 for construction of 59 kitchens cum store @

Rs.60000/- per unit. The construction work of 96 kitchens cum store is under

progress in addition to provided state share @28000/- per unit.

Govt. of India released Rs.168.39 vide. F.No.5-9-A/2010-EE-6(MDM-3-

1). Dt: 23rd July, 13 for construction of 77 units of kitchen cum store under

MDM [72 reconstruction with 5 new kitchen sheds] as 90% sharing.

But, due to some problems, construction work could not be executed in

time.

Status of kitchen cum stores under MDM at district level.

Category of School East West North

South

TOTAL Under

Progress

Sr. Sec. School 19 10 03 08 40

Secondary School 30 23 11 29 93

Junior Secondary School 47 41 16 46 150

Primary Schools 100 78 26 84 288

Lower Pry School 74 90 43 81 288

TOTAL 270 242 99 248 859

Reconstruction 77 77

2.9.2: The reasons for slow pace construction of kitchen cum stores, if

applicable.

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The reconstruction of 77 units of kitchen cum store is being delayed

due to the state funding procedures.

2.9.3: Whether any standardized model of kitchen cum stores is used

for construction.

State Engineering Cell of HRDD under SSA has prepared the standard

model of kitchen cum store.

2.9.4: Details of the construction agency and role of community in this

work.

The constructions of kitchen cum store are executed by the SMDC of

respective schools under the guidance of the school head who is the

chairman further mobilizes the community participation for all kinds of

man power support.

2.9.5: Kitchen cum stores constructed through convergence, if any.

Not so far.

2.9.6: Progress of construction of kitchen-cum-stores during this year

and target for the next year.

77 units of reconstruction with new schools shall be completed during

this year.

2.10: Kitchen Devices

2.10.1: Procedure of procurement of kitchen devices from funds

released under the Mid Day Meal Programme.

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Procedure of procurement of kitchen device from the fund released under

MDM is as per the state norms i.e, through SIMFED [Sikkim Marketing

Federation Deptt], Govt. of Sikkim.

LPG GAS AND UTENSILS IN THE SCHOOL KITCHEN

2.10.2: Procedure of procurement of kitchen devices from funds

released under the other sources.

The procurement of any items in the state government are from the state

recognized agencies like SIMFED [Sikkim Marketing Federation Deptt], and

STCS, State Trading Corporation of Sikkim.

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2.10.3: Availability of eating plates. Source of funding of eating plates.

The school authorities provide plates to the children because, the

funds provided under MME component is very meagre.

2.11: Capacity building and training for different stakeholders

2.11.1: Details of the training programme conducted for cook-cum-

helpers, State level officials, SMC members, school teachers and others

stakeholders.

The MDM Cell, HRDD had conducted training and awareness programme

of web portal to head of the institutions, training to cook cum helpers, stake

holder and SMDC under mid-day meal scheme at the four districts during

2013. All the heads of the institutions and SMDC had attended the training

cum awareness programme of MDM Section held at various district levels in

presence of district officials, MDM incharge, Assistant Directors and Asst.

Education Officers of the Block Administrative Centre BAC. Lot of interaction

between SMDC and Head of schools were held. Apart from this, Schools heads

are being sensitized by the officers at the BAC level on monthly coordination

meetings.

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[Cooking agencies/School Heads of MDM are being sensitized about web portal]

2.11.2: Details about Modules used for training, Master Trainers,

Venues etc.

Modules used for the training were about cleanliness of the kitchen,

personal hygiene of CCH, pure drinking water, hand wash before serving of

MDM, nutritional value, safety measures. Resource persons conducted

training of CCH.

2.11.3: Targets for the next year.

More sensitization programme or workshops to be conducted at the

block level and district level including training of CCH, Stake holders, School

heads within the available fund.

2.12: Management Information System at School, Block, District and

State level and its details.

2.12.1: Procedure followed for data entry into MDM-MIS Web portal.

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MIS Coordinators at the district level had been engaged, all orders,

instructions, directives received from the GOI are forthwith passed on to Joint

Directors of the District Offices who are the district heads for implementation of

all Centrally Sponsored Programme of Human Resource Development

Department. This office further communicates to Complex Organizers to

individual school and SMC through Asst. Directors who are the In-charge of

respective Block Administrative Centres. The similar upward flow of

information from the school level follows the similar pattern. All the information

are being received from the single point [Single Window System] existing in the

H.R.D. Deptt.

2.12.2: Level (State/ District/ Block/ School) at which data entry is

made.

The data entries are made in district and state level only.

2.12.3: Availability of manpower for web based MIS.

Five manpower are being engaged for web based MIS.

2.12.4: Mechanism for ensuring timely data entry and quality of data.

All orders, Circulars in regard to data entry has been issued to all concerned and further constant communication directly through telephone

is also done to ensure timely entry of data.

2.12.5: Whether MIS data is being used for monitoring purpose and

details thereof.

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The MIS data is being used efficiently for monitoring purpose for the

smooth functioning of the scheme.

2.13: Systems to ensure transparency, accountability and openness in

all aspects of programme implementation,

2.13.1: Display of logo, entitlement of children and other related

informations are placed at prominent visible places in schools.

As per the guidelines, every schools display the MDM logo, daily

menu etc on the prominent visible place of the school. The schools are also

instructed to maintain attendance and corresponding issue register of

foodgrains.

2.13.2: Dissemination of information through MDM website.

All the information pertaining to MDM obtained from the website are

further percolated or disseminated to all the schools and field functionaries

through letters, emails and coordination meetings.

2.13.3: Provisions for community monitoring at school level i.e. Mother Roaster, Inspection register,

Provisions for community monitoring at school i.e. Mother Roaster,

Inspection register are being maintained in schools.

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2.13.4: Tasting of meals by community members,

Tasting of meals by the community members in the schools are

encouraged and practiced on regular basis. Recently, SMC’s have started forming mothers group to taste the food on daily basis.

2.13.5: Conducting Social Audit.

Till date no social audit has been conducted so far.

2.14: MEASURES TAKEN TO RECTIFY:

2.14.1: Inter-district low and uneven utilization of food grains and

cooking cost.

Food grains are distributed to the schools as per School wise allocation

and schools are directed not to distribute the balanced food grains during

winter vacation so that the same balanced stock can be used as buffer stock,

which helps during the monsoon season, when roads are blocked due to

landslides in hilly mountainous terrain like Sikkim.

2.14.2: Intra-district mismatch in utilization of food grains and cooking

cost.

Food grains are distributed to the schools as per the allocation, Due to

many primary schools being located at the far flung areas, they cannot

provide the list of stock of every month due to so many reasons like non

availability of vehicles to office in time, some time due to blockade of roads

during monsoon and non availability of computer in the school as well as

internet problem. As a result, they even do not submit their monthly MDM

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bills to district/Block at the specified time as a result mismatch of food-grains

and cooking cost arise as well as delay in payment. The balance of foodgrains

available in the schools are some time distributed to the students during

winter vacation to avoid wastage which results from rotting of the grains and

also to keep balance foodgrains as buffer stock to provide uninterrupted

cooked mid-day meal during difficult times. At times due go some technical

problem foodgrains do not reach all the schools on time. The strict

instructions were circulated to district authorities to disseminate the same

information to schools HM / SMCs to keep the buffer stock of rice safely and

avoid misuse.

2.14.3: Delay in delivering cooking cost at school level.

State Project Office, MDM Cell, HRDD obtains en-bloc sanction of the

whole project amount at one time and try to transfer the funds to districts as

soon as districts submit their requisition of fund and also decentralize the

payment from block to school level.

Despite early action from the SPO, MDM, delay in payment has become

bottleneck of the scheme, because, the procedure at the respective districts

Pay & Account Offices is so lengthy to pass the bills in time.

However, after continuous appraisal to the authority to resolve this

problem, MDM Cell, HRDD could finally notify the system of adopting “Green

Channel” to release early payment through web portal introduced by state

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MDM Cell, vide Gazette Notification No: HRDD/MDM/GC/213-214-215-216,

Dt: 23.01.2014.

2.14.4: Delay in payment to FCI.

Recent methodology of payment from the state office during this year

has made it possible able to clear the payment upto Dec, 2014 with all back

log dues. But, recently, the FCI has placed monthly bill of food-grains which

will result in delay. Area Manager, FCI, Gangtok has been intimated to place

the bills on quarterly basis as the foodgrains allocation and its lifting in the

state are being done on quarterly basis.

2.14.5: Mismatch of data reported through various sources [QPR,

AWP&B, MIS etc.

There is minimal Mismatch of data due to delay in collecting data from

school due to non availability of internet as well as computer facility, and also

because of schools location in for flung areas.

2.15: Details of Evaluation studies conducted and summary of its

findings.

The state of Sikkim, MDM Cell has been putting relentless effort to

implement MDM with utmost satisfaction of the government. Accordingly, the

state level committees have been constituted for detail evaluation and study of

implementation. The State Level Steering cum Monitoring Committee was held

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on 28th June, 2013 under the chairmanship of Smt. R. Ongmu, IAS, Chief

Secretary, Govt. of Sikkim with many heads of the department who were the

members of SLSMC including Monitoring Institute of North Bengal University.

The findings of the said committees are being recorded and accordingly the

short- comings are noted for corrective measures in the subsequent years.

Nevertheless, the state of Sikkim has not so far come across any major

difficulties and failures in implementing MDM, there are some negligible

weaknesses which are seriously taken care of by the concerned cell for

smooth implementation.

2.16: write up on best/innovative practices followed in the State.

Sikkim, being a organic state, every School going child is served with

fresh and locally available organic vegetables like potatoes, black dal,

cabbage, green saag, cauliflower, Brocauli, radish, carrot, beans, peas in Mid-

Day Meals from where adequate nutrients and proteins are expected for the

children. This would enable to realize the dreams and expectations of the GOI

through implementing the Scheme of MDM. Besides that 81 Monastic Schools

and 12 Sanskrit Pathshalas are being covered under MDM Programme and

also provided with utensils and kitchen sheds. Children of every community

caste, creed, gender, sit together and enjoy MDM, there is no distinction of

any Caste/class/ creed.

2.17: Untoward incidents:

2.17.1: Instances of unhygienic food served, children falling ill.

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No such instances have been reported so far.

2.17.2: Sub-standard supplies.

No such reports received so far.

2.17.3: Diversion/misuse of resources.

Not so far.

2.17.4: Action taken and safety measures adopted to avoid recurrence of

such incidents.

NA.

2.18: Quality of food.

2.18.1: System of tasting of food by teachers/community members.

Maintenance of tasting register at school level, and frequent visits by all

concerned ensures quality of food being cooked.

Yes, system of tasting of food by the teacher/MDM incharge, members

of the SMC, in regular basis are prevalent in the schools. But, maintenance of

tasting register at schools is not being done so far. Mothers committee is also

encouraged to taste the meals in turns.

2.18.2: Testing of food sample by any reputed labs for the presence of

nutrients and presence of microbes, if any, as per norms of Mid-Day

Meals.

There is no such reputed lab for testing of food sample in our state.

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2.18.3: Engagement of NABL labs for the testing of meals.

Not Applicable

2.19: Involvement of NGOs/Trusts:

2.19.1: Modalities for engagement of NGOs/Trusts for serving of MDM

through centralized kitchen.

There is no centralized kitchen in our state.

2.19.2: Whether NGOs/Trusts are serving meal in rural areas.

There are some NGOs serving meal in the particular school only.

2.19.3: Maximum distance and time taken for delivery of food from

centralized kitchen and school.

Not applicable as there is no centralized kitchen.

2.19.4: Measures taken to ensure delivery of hot cooked meals to

schools.

Not applicable

2.19.4.1: Responsibility of receiving cooked meals at the schools from

the centralized kitchen.

There is no centralized kitchen in our state.

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2.19.4.2: Whether the containers are sealed at the time of supply of

meals to schools.

Not applicable

2.19.4.3: Tentative time of delivery of meals at schools from centralized

kitchen.

Not applicable

2.19.5: Testing of food samples at centralized kitchens.

Not applicable

2.20: Status of Rastriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram [School Health

Programme]

2.20.1: Provision of micro-nutrients, Vitamin-A, De-worming medicine,

Iron and Folic acid [WIFS], Zinc.

These are being done by the School Health Programme or Rastriya Bal

Swasthya Karyakram under the NRHM twice a year in schools where the

provision of micronutrients, vitamins, deworming medicine, iron, folic, zinc

are made. The records are being kept in the schools and the health deptt.

Only.

2.20.2: Distribution of spectacles to children with refractive error.

The students having problem of eyes are distributed spectacles.

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2.20.3: Recording of height, weight etc.

Records of height and weight are maintained in every school by class

teachers and which reflects in cumulative report cards of the children.

2.20.4: Number of visits made by the RBSK team for the health check up

of the children.

Visits made by the RBSK is twice a year.

2.21: Present monitoring structure at various levels. Strategy for

establishment of monitoring cell at various levels viz. Block, District and

State Level for effective monitoring of the scheme.

The monitoring structure at various level are shown below:

STATE LEVEL:-

Chairman : Chief Secretary, Govt. of Sikkim.

Vice Chairman : Principal Secretary, HRDD. Nodal Officer : Director, MDM, HRDD. Member : Joint Director/Dy. Director, MDM, HRDD.

DISTRICT LEVEL

The management structure of MDM at district level is very simple.

1. Chairman District Collector

2. Vice Chairman JD/HRDD/South 3. Member CDPO 4. Member Secretary Deputy Director as District

Nodal officer MDM Scheme

BLOCK LEVEL

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1. Chairman Gram Vikash Adhikari

2. Vice Chairman Assistant Director/AEO, HRDD 3. Members All Principals and heads of schools

SCHOOL LEVEL

1. Chairman Principals /Heads of schools

2. Vice Chairman Panchayats/Local elected bodies 3. Members SMC/SMDC 4. Member Teachers

2.22: Meeting of Steering cum Monitoring Committees at the Block,

District and State level.

2.22.1: Number of meetings held at various level and gist of the issues

discussed in the meeting.

State level Steering cum Monitoring Committee held on 25th Nov, 2014

was chaired by Additional Chief Secretary, Govt. of Sikkim along-with the

members discussed the following matters:-

Micronutrients to children.

Health & hygiene of the cook cum helpers.

Storage of food-grains.

Enhancement of honorarium to cook cum helpers.

Early payment under MDM scheme.

2.22.2: Action taken on the decisions taken during these meeting.

Training on web portal was imparted to all the schools.

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Letter to Health & Family Welfare Department to ensure timely

health checkups under RBSK.

2.23: Frequency of meeting of District Level Committee held under the

chairmanship of senior most MP of the District to monitor the scheme.

Gist of the issues discussed and action taken thereon.

No such meetings have been held so far.

2.24: Arrangement for official inspections to MDM centres/schools and

percentage of schools inspected and summary of findings and remedial

measures taken.

Officers at the block and district level inspect all matter related to

schools like MDM, SSA, RMSA, Academic, Attendance to ensure complete

task. Especially, block level officers often visits their schools and late payment

under MDM scheme has been raised frequently. With the introduction of

green channel it is expected to resolve this issue.

2.25: Feedback/comments in respect of report of Monitoring Institutions

designated for your State/UTs to monitor implementation of MDM and

action taken thereon.

Designated MDM monitoring institutes of our state visits the schools

without any intimation to the state or district authorities. However, any

anomalies with regard to MDM in schools, if reported, is taken up seriously

and resolved through prompt communication.

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2.26: Details of the Contingency Plan to avoid any untoward incident. Printing of important phone numbers (eg. Primary health center, Hospital, Fire brigade etc) on the walls of school building. The detail Contingency Plan is placed at the Annex: I.

2.27: Grievance Redressal Mechanism :

No Toll free Number has been installed at State/District and block

levels for Grievance Redressal Mechanism. However, one designated land line

No: 03592-208049 has been installed at the state level. Every school have the

mobile no. of their respective block level officers which they can contact in any

emergency situation. Besides, that the complaint boxes are also maintained in

all district and block offices. The Grievance Redressal Mechanism had been

constituted in the four districts vide: Notification No: 244/MDM/HRDD, dt:

29.1.2011 and also introduced the email Id: mdmsikkim@gmail.com for

sending their complaints, suggestions on mid-day meal in the state. The

composition of Grievance Redressal Mechanism of MDM at the state and

district level is as under:-

2.27.1: Details regarding Grievance Redressal at all levels,

State Level: Principal Secretary : Chairman

Director, MDM : Member Secretary. Joint Director/Dy. Director, MDM : Member

District Level:

District Collector : Chairman

Joint Director, District, HRDD : Member Secretary. Dy. Director, District, HRDD : Member

Asst. Director/Incharge, MDM : Member 2.27.2: Details of complaints received i.e. Nature of complaints etc.

So far the concerned Cell has not received any such complaint. 2.27.3: Time schedule for disposal of complaints,

Not applicable

2.27.4: Details of action taken on the complaints.

Nil

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2.28: Details regarding Awareness Generation & IEC activities and Media

campaign, carried out at State/district/block/school level.

Awareness generation to cook cum helpers, cooking agencies, school

heads are being sensitized every year at the district/ block level by the

nutritional experts from the health department, fire personnel from the

Sikkim Fire Deptt, NGOs and the officers from the HRDD.

2.29: Overall assessment of the manner in which implementation of the

programme is contributing to the programme objectives and an

analysis of strengths and weaknesses of the programme

implementation.

Strength:

Cooked Mid Day Meals are being provided in all school regularly.

Active involvement of stake holders in MDM programme for effective,

nutritious, regular meals, are ensured. Panchayats and community

members are sensitized.

Weakness:-

Lengthy financial procedure delay in payment.

Poor internet and mobile network in rural areas.

2.30: Contribution by community in the form of Tithi Bhojan or any

other similar practices in the State/ UT etc.

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The good practice like Tithi Bhojan of Gujarat State will be encouraged

in our State through wide scale awareness programme.

2.31: Any other issues and Suggestions.

Release of central assistance and procedure of state:-

GOI, releases Adhoc in April, 1st instalment in Aug and 2nd instalment

in Dec. The state obtaining enbloc through Planning Department, Finance

Department and cabinet approval takes upto Sept,

Unique academic system

Sikkim has its unique academic session which begins from mid

February to mid December i.e. 10 months. But, it is difficult to maintain its

expenditure and details from academic session not Financial Year due to state

lengthy financial rule. Keeping in view all the procedure, the state is making

payment on reimbursement basis to keep accountability and schools and

stake holders are also convinced to provide regular cooked mid-day meal to

the children and comply accordingly, despite delay in reimbursement.

Payment of cooking cost:-

Payment of cooking cost & HCCH in advance creates great difficulty to keep

the accountability of so many schools. Because, mid-day meal are being

served on the basis of availability and not on actual enrolment.

Lengthy procedure of obtaining enbloc sanction through Planning

Department, Finance Department and cabinet approval sanction after PAB

approved intimation in the state, as a result, payments under MDM could not

be made in advance neither due to State Financial Rule and non availability of

internet in every block offices.

However, State MDM Cell has issued Notification to adopt the GREEN

CHANNEL with due approval of the state government. The MDM Cell, HRDD

is committed to start process of payment in consonance with the above

gazette notification.

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ANNEXURE: I

Contingency Plan

Mid-Day Meal Scheme in Sikkim is being implemented in a

highly smooth and efficient manner. All the schools cooking

agencies/Cook cum Helper/SMCs are being sensitized on safety

measures like disaster management, combating fire incidents, first

aid application etc. The schools cooking agencies are also

sensitized by Health Department on nutritional and hygienic aspect

of the meals being prepared.

The schools and cluster are under the administrative

jurisdiction of Asst. Directors and Block Development Officer and in

case of any emergency situation in schools, the school heads are

directed to seek immediate help from the Block offices. Besides,

the school heads/PTA/Panchayats/SMC are actively involved in

serving MDM and ensuring proper hygiene. The important helpline

numbers like Fire, Hospital emergency call and Police are also with

the school heads in case of any emergency situation.

Besides the above all the teaching and non teaching staff

after school as well as school children are regularly sensitized by

the school safety programme to deal with any kind of emergency

situation.

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State Level Steering cum Monitoring Committee held during Nov, 2015

Participants of officials during SLSMC meeting chaired by Addl. Chief Secretary.

[Meeting with officers pertaining to state mdm web portal and Green Channel]

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ONE DAY CCH TRAINING BY MDM CELL AT WEST DISTRICT

[PARTICIPANTS AT THE DISTRICT LEVEL]

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Heads of the institution attended in WEB PORTAL WORKSHOP

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School heads attending state web portal training at district level

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MME PLAN UNDER MID-DAY MEAL PROGRAMME DURING 2015-16 (SIKKIM)

1. Engagement of 05 MIS Coordinator (District level)

Financial implication: 5 X @12000x12 Months : 7,20,000/-

2. Computer Operator (01 at SPO)

Financial implication: @8500x1x12 Months : 1,02,000/-

3. Peon [01] : @6000/- x 12 months: : 72,000/-

4. Awareness programme of web portal to

School heads, CCH at the district level/block level.

Financial implication: @1,50,000/-x 4 districts : 6,00,000/-

5. Procurement of Computer hardware and

consumable/furniture.

Financial implication: @60,000x4 : 2,40,000/-

6. State Level Meeting.

Financial implication: @60,000x2 months : 1,20,000/-

7. Office stationeries etc.

Financial implication : 1,50,000/-

8. External Monitoring and Evaluation.

Financial implication: @1200x872 schools : 10,47,000/-

9. Tour programme outside states: : 2,00,000/-

10. Plates/Mug/Soaps/etc [600x872] : 4,36,000/-

TOTAL : 36,87,000/- [Thirty Six lakh and Eighty Seven Thousand] only

Note: Fund bifurcation made under Sl.No 4 to 8 is adjustable within the projected plan on needs basis.

Principal Secretary, HRDD

Govt. of Sikkim.

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