West Bengal has created a new national record in implementing the mid-day meal scheme. More students than the targeted number could be covered in the 2018-19 academic session.
The state had to cover 64,97,969 primary students in the said academic session. According to its report – also shared with the Central government – at the end of the academic session, the state covered 6,753,947 children in this category. This is covering 104 per cent primary students in the academic year.
Similarly, the state had targeted 42,30,973 upper primary students in the mid-day meal scheme in the 2018-19 academic session, and the total children in this category covered was 41,37,265, which is 98 per cent of the upper primary students targeted. Officials of the state said they would like to touch the 100 per cent mark in the next academic session.
Altogether, West Bengal has brought under the mid-day meal scheme 1,07,28,942 primary and upper primary students – which makes it 102 per cent of total students in the said academic session.
No other state in the country has been able to achieve this feat. Next to West Bengal is Rajasthan. The state has covered 101 per cent students in the mid-day meal scheme, followed by Assam, which has achieved 100 per cent target. Apart from these three states no other state in the country could touch the 100 per cent mark.
The top three states – West Bengal, Rajasthan and Assam – have been lauded by the Centre at a recent meeting as well, said an official.
Statistics: Mid-day meal eaten and its percentage
West Bengal – 102 per cent
Rajasthan – 101 per cent
Assam – 100 per cent
Bihar – 91 per cent
Maharashtra – 90 per cent
Tamil Nadu – 98 per cent
Gujarat – 98 per cent
Kerala – 97 per cent
