Thiruvananthapuram: Even as the high court directed the state government to ensure that the financial burden of the noon meal programmes in schools does not fall on the headmasters, the general education department has issued an order asking them to set up noon meal protection councils and raise funds from the public.
The department has directed the headmasters to set up noon meal protection committees for sourcing interest-free loans from prominent residents, (poura pramukhar), parents and alumni.
Indicating that the committees will have to be set up before November 30, the department pointed out that it was forced to make such a decision due to the delay in getting funds from the Union government. The school noon meal programme functions with 60% funds from the centre while the state chips in the remaining 40% of the expense.
Ever since the implementation of the public finance management system in 2021-22, there has been a significant delay in the release of the central government’s share of funds, said the education department’s order.
The department decided to set up committees to source the funds so that the delay in getting the central funds would not cripple the programme, said the government order.
While ward members/councillors will be the patrons of the proposed committee, headmaster/headmistress will be their conveners. PTA presidents, senior teachers, alumni association representatives and school managers (in case of aided schools) are the other members of the committee.
The committees will have to discuss and decide whether interest-free loans can be availed from teachers/alumni/and prominent residents.
The headmasters are responsible to pay back such funds to the lenders as and when the government releases funds.
As for the schools that run breakfast schemes for students, they have been asked to explore corporate social responsibility funding of various institutions and raise funds from local self-government institutions.
Registering protest against the government directive, the Save Education Committee on Thursday said the state government is trying to shirk its responsibility and putting the onus of sourcing funds and running the schemes on headmasters and the public.
We also published the following articles recently
The department has directed the headmasters to set up noon meal protection committees for sourcing interest-free loans from prominent residents, (poura pramukhar), parents and alumni.
Indicating that the committees will have to be set up before November 30, the department pointed out that it was forced to make such a decision due to the delay in getting funds from the Union government. The school noon meal programme functions with 60% funds from the centre while the state chips in the remaining 40% of the expense.
Ever since the implementation of the public finance management system in 2021-22, there has been a significant delay in the release of the central government’s share of funds, said the education department’s order.
The department decided to set up committees to source the funds so that the delay in getting the central funds would not cripple the programme, said the government order.
While ward members/councillors will be the patrons of the proposed committee, headmaster/headmistress will be their conveners. PTA presidents, senior teachers, alumni association representatives and school managers (in case of aided schools) are the other members of the committee.
The committees will have to discuss and decide whether interest-free loans can be availed from teachers/alumni/and prominent residents.
The headmasters are responsible to pay back such funds to the lenders as and when the government releases funds.
As for the schools that run breakfast schemes for students, they have been asked to explore corporate social responsibility funding of various institutions and raise funds from local self-government institutions.
Registering protest against the government directive, the Save Education Committee on Thursday said the state government is trying to shirk its responsibility and putting the onus of sourcing funds and running the schemes on headmasters and the public.
We also published the following articles recently
US Senate passes stopgap funding bill to avert government shutdown
The US Senate has passed a stopgap spending bill, preventing a partial government shutdown. The bill has been sent to President Joe Biden to sign into law before the weekend deadline. This marks the end of the third fiscal standoff in Congress this year, avoiding defaulting on the US’s debt and a partial shutdown. The bill received broad bipartisan support and maintains spending levels agreed upon in May. The next deadline for funding is January 19, just after the Iowa caucuses.
The US Senate has passed a stopgap spending bill, preventing a partial government shutdown. The bill has been sent to President Joe Biden to sign into law before the weekend deadline. This marks the end of the third fiscal standoff in Congress this year, avoiding defaulting on the US’s debt and a partial shutdown. The bill received broad bipartisan support and maintains spending levels agreed upon in May. The next deadline for funding is January 19, just after the Iowa caucuses.
Senate sends Joe Biden stopgap funding bill, averting a government shutdown
Congress has approved a bill to fund federal agencies into early next year, avoiding a shutdown crisis for now. The bill, known as a continuing resolution, sets up two deadlines in early 2024 for funding to run out. It was passed with near-unanimous support from Democrats, while almost half of House Republicans opposed it. The tight timeline and internal GOP rifts make it difficult for Congress to reach a long-term spending agreement. The temporary funding measure also omitted the priorities of hard-line House Republicans.
Congress has approved a bill to fund federal agencies into early next year, avoiding a shutdown crisis for now. The bill, known as a continuing resolution, sets up two deadlines in early 2024 for funding to run out. It was passed with near-unanimous support from Democrats, while almost half of House Republicans opposed it. The tight timeline and internal GOP rifts make it difficult for Congress to reach a long-term spending agreement. The temporary funding measure also omitted the priorities of hard-line House Republicans.
SIT to re-examine public works through MLA funds
The Maharashtra Lokayukta has directed the Pune divisional commissioner and district collector not to make any payment to contractors who constructed internal roads and drainage at 20 cooperative housing societies. The Lokayukta had earlier restrained the release of payment until a final order is given. The Lokayukta also ordered the state government to form a special investigation team (SIT) to re-examine the issue of public utility works funded by MLAs. The SIT will consist of a town planning expert, the district collector, and the principal secretary to the urban development department. The authorities must submit a compliance report within three months.
The Maharashtra Lokayukta has directed the Pune divisional commissioner and district collector not to make any payment to contractors who constructed internal roads and drainage at 20 cooperative housing societies. The Lokayukta had earlier restrained the release of payment until a final order is given. The Lokayukta also ordered the state government to form a special investigation team (SIT) to re-examine the issue of public utility works funded by MLAs. The SIT will consist of a town planning expert, the district collector, and the principal secretary to the urban development department. The authorities must submit a compliance report within three months.