Riyaz Bhat
Srinagar, Aug 9: The Ministry of Education (MoE) has found several loopholes in centrally sponsored PM-POSHAN scheme in Jammu and Kashmir.
MoE has said that it observed that construction of 4697 units of Kitchen-cum- Stores is pending since considerable period.
“UT is advised to surrender the total amount along with interest for 4,697 units of Kitchen-cum-stores by August, 2023 which were sanctioned to UT for construction of Kitchen-cum-Stores,” MoE said.
The ministry in Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B) 2023-24 of PM POSHAN Scheme for the UT Administration of Jammu & Kashmir said that there was a central assistance of Rs. 8170.05 Lakh that were released for construction of 11,488 Kitchen-cum-stores.
“As on 31.12.2022, construction has been completed for 6,791 Kitchen-cum-stores (59%). UT informed that construction of 4,697 units of Kitchen- cum-Stores has not been started,” MoE said.
About the Management Monitoring and Evaluation (MME), MoE said that the UT has not utilized any MME funds against the allocated of Rs. 9.33 Lakh up to first three quarters of 2022-23.
The approval board noted non-utilization of MME funds and emphasized on the importance of monitoring and awareness generation for better implementation of the scheme and advised the UT to ensure full and optimal utilization of the funds under MME.
In the meeting, Jammu and Kashmir administration was also advised to ensure display of entitlements of students in all schools and carry out appropriate IEC activities for awareness generation.
Likewise, speaking about the school working days, PAB in the previous meeting has approved 186 days to be covered during first three quarters of 2022-23.
In that academic year, UT reported coverage of 137, 162 and 170 working days in Bal Vatika, Primary and Upper Primary respectively.
Commenting on the issue, the ministry expressed concern about less coverage of working days.
MoE in the meeting advised UT administration to ensure provision of hot cooked meal on all school working days to all eligible students under PM POSHAN scheme.
