Faizan Wani
Srinagar, Jun 29: The Government of India has expressed concern over shortcomings in implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) in Jammu & Kashmir Union Territory.
A record note of the Project Approval Board meeting held last month for Jammu & Kashmir lays bare that the Union Education Ministry flagged loopholes in implementation of Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN) in J&K.
According to the 18-page document, Joint Secretary( Elementary Education-I) expressed concern over the issue of delay in the release of adhoc funds by three months from UT Authority to schools.
The JS-level officer also pointed out that UT has neither constructed 4,697 units of kitchen-cum-stores nor surrendered the funds as directed by previous PAB.
“The UT has not yet procured 1311 units of new kitchen devices sanctioned during 2014-15,” reads the document.
According to the record note, the UT has not constituted separate PM POSHAN management units at UT and district levels.
“The UT has not conducted testing of food samples,” reads the record note of the meeting which was attended by top officials from Centre and J&K administration.
The meeting was held on May 9 through video conferencing to consider the annual work plan & budget (2022-23) of Jammu & Kashmir.
As per the document, the other areas of concern were low utilization of MME funds and setting up of less number of school nutrition gardens.
