Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday disbursed financial assistance worth Rs 117.73 crore to the cook-cum-helpers working in schools across the State, reinforcing the government’s commitment to provide quality mid day meal (MDM).
The Chief Minister has also announced a financial assistance of Rs 500 to each cook-cum-helper for the purchase of saree, with the objective of promoting professionalism and a cohesive work environment. Rs 5.45 crores have been disbursed to the bank accounts of one lakh nine thousand cook-cum-helpers of the State.
The Chief Minister sanctioned the financial assistance at an orientation program held at Lokseva Bhawan.
Speaking on this occasion, the Chief Minister said that the role of mid-day meal is very important for the spread of education among children and safety of life. Cooks and helpers are carrying this major responsibility. More than 45 lakh children are studying in more than 50, 000 schools.
“Like mothers, you have taken the responsibility of feeding these children. The entire society is indebted to them”, the CM said.
Expressing that the MDM program is going on through 4730 Mission Shakti groups, the Chief Minister said that like all other responsibilities, they are fulfilling this responsibility well. Commenting that the reputation of Mission Shakti is increasing day by day, the Chief Minister said that efforts will continue to empower women through Mission Shakti.
It is worth noting that 45.55 lakh students from class I to VIII are benefiting in 50,862 schools in the State. 1.09 lakh cooks and helpers of 47 30 Mission Shakti groups are involved in the preparation of the lunch. Earlier in 2017-18, they were sanctioned Rs 250 per person as saree allowance.