PRESENTATION ON

ANNUAL WORK PLAN & BUDGET, 2014-15

OF

MID-DAY MEAL SCHEME

State : Assam

Toll free Number : 1800-345-3525email : assammdm@gmail.com

7th March, 2014

Best Practice in Assam

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Hand Washing before and after MDM prerequisite of child health. Functional WASH infrastructure facilities influence children to adopt hygiene

practice. 100 schools of Rani and Rampur blocks, Kamrup district provided with Hand

washing facilities with soap with the support of UNICEF w.e.f July,2013. Efforts has resulted in significant improvement in attendances, reducing diarrhea related disease, promoting good hygiene practices among the children. The 5th JRM appreciated the initiative and suggested to upscale it to all other

schools.

MDMS 2013-14: Achievement highlight

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56,327 Nos of Schools, KGBV, NCLP Centers of 27 districts covered through MDMS during 2013-14.

45,22,806 Nos of Children from Classes I to VIII covered under MDM (December, 2013).

70658.269 MT food grains consumed (April-Dec,13)

1,15,529 Nos of Cook-cum-helpers engaged;

Operationaling the dedicated MDMS cell at State, District, Block levels: (Engagement of 1st phase completed).

Complaint Redressal Cell notified.

MDM calendar provided to schools as IEC.

Training of CCHs as Master trainers (30 by IHM & 120 by Akshay Patra, Banglore) conducted.

Training of SMC members is done in convergence with SSA. District Level Monitoring Committee for MDMS constituted in all districts and one round of meeting of the committee completed in almost all districts. Mass Hand Washing facilities provided in 100 schools (pilot basis) in convergence with UNICEF.

Female SC ST OBC Minority Others

1,02,513 12512 20475 30408 29278 22856

New initiatives

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1. Streamlining fund flow system. Govt notification has been issued.

2. E-bank transfer of honorarium to Cook Cum Helper and Cooking Cost will

be started w.e.f 1st April,2014. Bank accounts for MDM opened in schools.

3. Formation of 10 members Mothers Self Help Group has been initiated to

look after day-to-day management of MDMS in schools :

4. Toll Free Contact Centre has been operationalised (No. 18003453525)

w.e.f 18th Oct.2013 to address the grievances/complaints of MDMS. 45

complaints have so far been addressed till 15th Feb,2014.

5. Development of Kitchen Gardens in schools has been initiated in

convergence with Department of Agriculture and Horticulture.

6. Steps have been taken to set up dedicated MDM Cell at State, District and

Block levels.

7. Development of Contingency Plan at school level has been initiated.

Action taken note on commitment in PAB-MDM,2013-14

State’s commitment Action Taken/Status

State Govt. is finalizing the modalities for reducing the time lag in releasing funds to schools

The State Govt. has issued notification on guidelines for revamping Mid-Day Meal Scheme –(i)At the beginning of the Financial Year, the State Finance Department will release advance payment of both Central and State Share to the Education Department to be adjusted upon receipt of fund from Central Govt. and State Govt. against Central Share & State Share respectively. Sanctioning power delegated to the Administrative Department.(ii) Education Department in turn will release fund for cost of food grains to Deputy Commissioner & Principal Secretary of Autonomous Council. Cooking cost and Honorarium to cook-cum-helper will be released to the SMC directly through SSA, Assam.

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Point 1: Delay in the release of funds to schools

State’s commitment Action Taken/Status

Commissioner & Secretary to the Govt. of Assam Education (Elementary) Department assured to look into the downward trend.

All the field level officers of Tinsukia, Dima Hasao, Bongaigaon, Nagaon, Goalpara and Morigaon districts have been called for a review meeting held at Guwahati on 12th July, 2013 wherein issues of low coverage were discussed and resolution was taken to overcome the hurdles.

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Point 2: Low coverage of children in Tinsukia, Dima Hasao, Bongaigaon, Nagaon and Goalpara districts

Point 3: E-payment to cook-cum-helpersState’s commitment Action Taken/Status

Commissioner & Secretary to the Govt. of Assam Education (Elementary) Department assured that e-payment system would be developed and introduced in the timely payment to cook-cum-helper.

Process for e-payment to Cook-cum-helper through SMC will be started from 1st April, 2014.

Action taken note on commitment in PAB-MDM,2013-14

Action taken note on the observation of 5th JRM on MDMS

Observation of JRM Action taken/StatusA dedicated mid-day meal cell may be set up at State, District and block level with clear roles and responsibilities. The monitoring mechanism at all the levels, especially at the district and below, needs to be strengthened. There is a strong need to create an accountable monitoring mechanism to look into the implementation aspects of the scheme. The chart here below show the districts where the data entry work for the MDMS portal is poor and needs to be stepped up urgently.

The process of setting up dedicated MDM Cell has been initiated. Regarding data feeding in MIS portal, 99.2 % completed against Annual data while 96.4 % completed against Monthly data till 31st December, 2013.

The SMCs should be actively involved in the implementation of MDM. MDM should be made a compulsory agenda and records for the same should be maintained to ensure the smooth running of the scheme.

SMCs are fully involved in implementation of Mid-Day Meal Scheme. Cooking cost, Honorarium to cook-cum-helper are released to the SMC’s bank account. SMCs are entrusted with responsibility for day-to-day management of the MDMS at school level. The SMC is involved in deciding weekly menu, engagement of cooks-cum-helpers, and overall supervision of the scheme.

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Observation of JRM Action taken/StatusThe State Govt. should engage adequate number of cook-cum-helpers in the schools as per norms. It is also recommended that separate accounts should be opened for the cook-cum-helpers in nearest bank branch and the honorarium (including State share) should be paid on monthly basis.

Adequate numbers (115529) of cook-cum-helpers are engaged in schools for cooking of Mid-Day Meal as per norms. Opening of separate bank accounts for cook-cum-helper is nearly completed.

Proper and hygienic kitchen sheds, pre preparation, cleaning and storage area should be developed on a priority basis, in order to avoid any food borne illness due to contamination from the surroundings. Food hygiene should be maintained by avoiding contaminated food/raw ingredients. All the major ingredients including cooking oil, spices etc. should be Agmark certified.

The field level officers are instructed to ensure proper hygienic environment in preparation, cooking and distribution of Mid-Day Meal among the children. Training to Cook-cum-helpers is given through IHM, Akshay Patra Foundation regarding hygiene, fire safety. Instructions regarding use of packed, Agmark certified products have been widely circulated through newspapers etc. Instruction is given to DNOs (MDMS) and DEEOs, in this regard.The design of Kitchen shed had been modified as per MHRD advisory to ensure convenient and segregated areas for preparation, storage, cooking, washing, serving, proper lighting and ventilation.

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Action taken note on the observation of 5th JRM on MDMS

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Observation of JRM Action taken/StatusFood should be cooked in clean utensils with clean water and in a clean environment cooked food should be kept covered and serve to the students in a hygienic condition.

Field level officers have been asked to look after the implementation of cooked Mid-Day Meal & ensure that food is cooked with clean utensils, clean water in a clean environment. SMC is also closely involved in ensuring this.

The staff involved in food preparation should maintain good personal hygiene. They should use clean head gear and apron.

The cook-cum-helpers are instructed to maintain good personal hygiene and should use clean head gear and apron. Process initiated to provide apron and hat as per approval of AWP & B,2013-14.

Action taken note on the observation of 5th JRM on MDMS

Observation of JRM Action taken/StatusThe meals should be made more nutrient dense and nutritionally balanced and include higher amounts of non-tuber vegetables, especially the green leafy ones, to overcome deficiencies.

Field level officers have been issued instruction to ensure maintenance of nutritionally balanced green leafy vegetables in daily food menu. MDM menus have been published through MDM calendar provided to each school. Kitchen gardens also promoted.

To improve their nutritional status, the malnourished children should be identified by periodical health checkups, dewormed and be given special care during MDM.

The Mission Director, NRHM, Assam has already been requested to conduct proper health check-ups and distribute Vitamin-A, Iron & Folic Acid & de-worming tablets to all the children reading in elementary schools. NRHM has taken steps in this regard through RBSK.

Convergence with MGNREGS for maintenance of school kitchen gardens could be sought for all schools across the state. Kitchen gardens or green squares can be introduced using the waste water from kitchen and hand washing of children.

Steps are taken to promote Kitchen Garden in schools in co-ordination with Agriculture and Horticulture Departments.

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Action taken note on the observation of 5th JRM on MDMS

Observation of JRM Action taken/StatusThe State Government may also install/convert chulhas into smokeless chulhas to combat the problem. Alternate method of fuel like solar cooker may be explored. Gas based cooking may also be started in a phased manner.

Gas based cooking has been started in 556 no. of urban areas schools where cylinders are easily available. Other feasible alternatives will also be explored by the Department.

In the absence of dining hall facilities, wherever classroom/verandas are in use for dining, proper cleanliness needs to be maintained.

Instructions have been given to all DEEOs in this regard and to ensure cleanliness of the verandas.

Use of weighing balance and proper weight and measurements is recommended for weighing raw ingredients so that children receive prescribed amounts of nutrients.

Proposal has been submitted for provisioning of weighing instruments to schools under AWP & B,2014-15

Better convergence with the School Health program is essential to overcome malnourishment. There is a need for the regular health monitoring. Vitamin A, Iron and Folic Acid supplements and deworming tablets should be provided on a regular basis to the schools. Further, proper instructions regarding their dosage should be given to the teachers. Health cards, with duly filled record of each child need to be maintained and updated regularly in all the schools.

NRHM, Assam is providing Vitamin-A, Iron & Folic Acid & de-worming tablets to all the children reading in elementary schools. Awareness regarding school health programme, balance diet, hygiene etc is being promoted through IEC activities via radio, television, newspaper etc.

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Action taken note on the observation of 5th JRM on MDMS

Observation of JRM Action taken/Status Health and Nutrition Education programmes for students, parents and teachers should be arranged on regular basis.

NRHM, Assam is taking necessary action for School Health Programme arranging health check-ups among students, parents and teachers on regular basis.

Installation of Mass Handwashing with Soap facility as being demonstrated in 100 schools of Rani and Rampur Blocks of Kamrup (R), be scaled up to all Government schools through MDM and/or SMC funds in a phased manner. This will ensure all children wash their hands with soap before eating mid-day meals.

A proposal has been submitted through AWP&B 2014-15, MDMS.

Centralized kitchens must follow the principles of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) to ensure that compromised quality food products are not prepared and food related hazards do not occur.

Instruction has been issued to Akshaya Patra Foundation to maintain the principle of HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) to ensure that compromised quality food products are not prepared and food related hazards do not occur. Food Safety Officers are regularly monitoring the quality of food product to ensure that safe food is being provided to the children.

The primary (bulk) containers should be sterilized before packing food. This would minimize the risk of food infection outbreaks of food borne illness.

Akshaya Patra Foundation has been asked to use sterilized containers for packing food. This would minimize the risk of food infection outbreaks of food borne illness.

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Action taken note on the observation of 5th JRM on MDMS

Observation of JRM Action taken/StatusEmpty gunny bags available in the schools as well as NGOs may be sold and used for other expenditure related to MDMS like purchase of eating plates for the children etc.

Instruction has been issued to field level officers for taking necessary action in this regard.

It is recommended that the Schools should be notified about the revision of cooking cost i.e. Rs. 3.34 for Primary and Rs. 5.00 for Upper Primary from 1st July, 2013. Further NCLP Schools should be provided cooking cost and food grains as per Upper Primary norms.

All the field level officers and school authorities have been informed about the revision of cooking cost i.e. Rs. 3.34 for Primary and Rs. 5.00 from Upper Primary from 1st July, 2013. Further NCLP Schools is provided cooking cost and food grains as per Upper Primary norms.

Separate accounts should be opened for MDMS. It is also recommended that the heads under which money has been released should be clearly mentioned so as to avoid confusion at the school level.

Instructions have been issued for opening of separate bank accounts for MDM at SMC level as well as at district level. Process is almost completed.

The Grievance Redressal mechanism up to grass root levels may be set up and a the toll free number should be displayed at a prominent place in the schools in order to address the genuine complaints of all stakeholders etc., and to make the scheme more responsive to the stakeholders.

Grievance Redressal Cell has been set up at the Directorate of Elementart Education and the toll free number is 1800-345-3525 is operationalised at SSA, Assam. The Toll Free Number has been widely published through newspapers by SSA, Assam. 47 complaints regarding MDM as received have been enquired and redressed.

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Action taken note on the observation of 5th JRM on MDMS

Coverage of Children during 2013-14

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Stages ENROLLMENT Target approved by PAB based on average number of Children

Achievement (till 3 Qtr)

LOWER PRIMARY 3409316 3181150 3087930UPPER PRIMARY 1584560 1490844 1434876

Num

ber o

f Chi

ldre

n

Lower Primary Upper Primary0

5000001000000150000020000002500000300000035000004000000

97 %

96.2%

ENROLLMENT Average number of Children avail MDM approved by PAB Achievement

Status of Meal Served during 2013-14

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StagePAB Approval PAB Approval upto 3rd quarter Actual Served upto 31st Dec./12

Number of Meal Served

Number of Days

Number of Meal Served

Number of Days Number of Meal Served

Number of Days

Lower Primary 6972.00 210 4845.92 153 4268.80 138Upper Primary 3421.00 220 2385.35 160 2002.03 141NCLP 47.81 312 32.20 232 29.81 217

Lower Primary Upper Primary NCLP0.00

1000.00

2000.00

3000.00

4000.00

5000.00

6000.00

7000.00

88.1%

83.9%

92.6%

PAB Approval PAB Approval upto 3rd Qtr Actual Served upto 3rd Qtr

Num

ber o

f mea

l ser

ved

(in la

kh)

(in lakh)

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Meal served : Low coverage vs target

Reason of low coverage :

1. Local disturbances in the districts like Karbi Anglong, Kokrajhar, Dima

Hasao, Nagaon, Chirang, Baksa, Udalguri

2. Delay in fund flow

3. Low lifting of food grains

Steps taken so far : Regular review conducted with low performing districts to improve the situation.

Directive has been issued against the DCs cum DNOs of low performing districts to improve the performance.

Inspection by officials/ functionaries strengthened.

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Stage Gross Allocation for the FY 2013-14

Opening Balance as on 01.4.13

Lifted from FCI upto 31-12-2013

Rice available upto 31-12-2013

Utilizationupto 31-12-2013

Lower Primary 66512.670 1443.600 41813.931 43257.531 42355.605

Upper Primary 49847.430 910.212 30227.423 31137.635 28302.664

Status of Lifting and Utilization of Rice In MT

Low utilization of rice is due to low lifting of allotted rice by the DNOs of Tinsukia, Nagaon, & Hailakandi.

Ric

e In

MT

Lower Primary Upper Primary0.000

10000.000

20000.000

30000.000

40000.000

50000.000

60000.000

70000.000

97.9%

90.9%

Gross Allocation Rice available upto 31-12-13 Utilization upto 31-12-13

Payment to FCIAllocation of Fund

2013-14Bill Raised By FCI upto 31/12/2013

Fund released to DNOs for payment to FCI upto

31/12/2013

Payment of pending Bills of previous year

6574.35 3534.00 2273.18 4810.00

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Rs. in lakh

Rs.

in la

kh

Allocation of Fund Bill raised by FCI upto 31/12/13

Fund released to DNOs for payment to FCI

upto 31/12/13

Payment of pending bills of previous year

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

7000

6574.35

3534.00

2273.18

4810.00

LOW PAYMENT OF COST OF FOODGRAINS TO FCI

Status/issue/ step taken :• FCI authority has raised the bills for an amount of Rs.3534.00 lakh

upto 31/12/2013. Against the bill amounts, the Department has released an amount of Rs.2273.18 lakh to DNOs, MDMS for making payment to FCI (i.e.,64% against bill amount). DNOs, MDMS have released only 701.00 lakh (20%) till January,2014.

• Fund released to DNOs up to Sept,2013 in case of LPs and up to Dec,2013 in case of UP from the available fund (opening balance and adhoc grants released by GOI). Since the balance of 1st installment is drawn in Feb,2014, an amt of Rs. 856.52 against the bills raised till 3Qtr will be released to DNOs immediately.

• Concerned DCs cum DNOs have been pressed hard to release the bills amt to FCI at the earliest.

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Stage Gross allocation for FY 2013-14 Total Fund Available Expenditure

upto 31-12-2013

Lower Primary 19621.24 19621.14 14910.26

Upper Primary 14664.30 14664.18 9593.46

Status of Cooking Cost (Rs. in lakh)

Coo

king

Cos

t (R

s. in

lakh

)

Lower Primary Upper Primary0

2000400060008000

100001200014000160001800020000

75.9%

65.4%

Gross Allocation

Total Fund Available

Total Cooking cost expenditure upto 31/12/13

Payment of Honorarium to Cooks-cum-Helpers

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Hon

orar

ium

to C

CH

(Rs.

in la

kh)

Allocation Payment to CCH upto Dec./13

0.001000.002000.003000.004000.005000.006000.007000.008000.009000.00

11552.9

3104.59 (26.9%)

Rs. in lakh

Year PAB approved target for CCH Engagement through SMC

2013-14 115529 115529

Issues/status/steps taken :• Fund released against the available fund only (from Adhoc grants).• 3827.15 lakh received from Finance Deptt in the month of

February,2014, which will be released immediately.• The directive of State Government (Notification no. PMA/MDM-

Cell/7/2012/12, dtd 20th June,2013) with respect to release of fund will be followed from 1st April,2014 to accelerate fund flow system.

• Payment of Honorarium to cook cum helper will be released through SMCs via e-bank transfer from SNO, MDMS directly.

• .

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Payment of honorarium to CCHs against allocation

Allocation 2013-14 UtilizationTill 3rd Qtr

1582.49 702.63

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TRANSPORTATION COST

Rs. in lakh

Rs.

in la

kh

Allocation Utilization0

200400600800

1000120014001600

1582.49

702.63 (44.5%)

Issue :The State has released 44.5% of transportation cost upto Dec, 2013 from available fund. The balance of 1st installment (157.75 lakh) received from Finance Deptt. in the month of Feb,2014 will be released immediately.

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Management, Monitoring and Evaluation (MME)

Allocation 2013-14

Utilization1/4/13 - 31/12/13

951.12 195.71

Rs.

in la

kh

Rs. in lakh

Allocation Utilization0

100200300400500600700800900

1000

951.12

195.71 (20.6%)

Utilization of fund under MME :State has taken initiatives to complete all the pending activities under MME including setting up of dedicated MDM Cell.

Components

2012-13 2013-14 ( Up to Dec/2013)

Fund AvailableOB+CS+SS Expenditure Fund Allocation

OB+CS+SS Expenditure

Cooking Cost 38868.33 30252.30 38066.62 24503.72

Cost of Food grains 6776.16 5436.86 6574.35 2273.18

Honorarium to CCH 11689.98 11689.98 11552.9 3104.59

Transportation cost 1646.81 1265.03 1582.49 702.63

MME 951.27 742.13 951.12 195.71

Total 59932.55 49386.3 58727.5 30779.83 (52.4%)

Component wise fund received and expenditure

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Rs. in lakh

Sanctioned Completed In-progress Not started

56795 38711 (68.16%) 8811(15.51%) 9273 (16.33%)

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Status of construction of Kitchen-cum storeU

nit

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

6000056795

38711

8811 9273

Unit

Kitchen-cum-Store : Target vs achievement

Status : • GOI Sanctioned : 56795• Construction completed through approved agencies : 38711• Construction in progress (through SMCs): 8811• Not started : 9273Issue : • State PWD schedule of rate of construction has been revised.

Hence, 9273 no. of Kitchen-Cum-Store could not be started with the approved amount of Rs. 60,000/- per unit and Rs. 1,41,500/- per unit.

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Modified design of kitchen cum store

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29

Kitchen DevicesSanctioned Completed Progress Yet to provide

62267 17666 13277 31324

Sanctioned Completed Progress Yet to start 0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

7000062267

1766613277

31324

Uni

t

Kitchen Devices: Target vs achievement

• GOI sanctioned Kitchen Device against 62267 schools. (Yr 2006-07: 17666; Yr 2008-09: 13277; Yr 2010-11: 31324)• State provided Kitchen Devices to 17666 schools during 2007-08.• Kitchen Devices could not be provided to remaining 44601 no. of

schools due to pending cases at Hon’ble Gauhati High Court.• Hon’ble High Court has disposed the case and the process for

providing with Kitchen Devices against 44601 no. of schools has been initiated.

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• Coverage of Districts - Kamrup & Kamrup (Metro)• Number of Kitchen - 1 • Number of Institution covered - 593• Number of Children covered - 51894• Maximum distance

covered from Central Kitchen - 82 km• Cook-cum-helper engaged at

Central Kitchen - 665• Cook-cum-helper engaged at

schools covered under central kitchen - 666

NGO (The Akshaya Patra Foundation) engaged for MDMS

Proposal for Food Grains under AWP & B,2014-15

Stage Children to be covered Rice (in MT)

Lower Primary 30,74,194 64558.074

Upper Primary & NCLP 1,44,8612 47993.753

Total 45,22,806 112551.827

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Component Lower Primary Upper Primary & NCLP Total

Central share

State share

Central share

State share

Cost of Food grains 3647.53 0 2711.65 0 6359.18

Cooking cost 20852.26 2259.53 15453.99 1727.77 40293.55

Transportation cost 877.99 0 652.71 0 1530.70

Honorarium to Cook-cum Helper 8107.29 900.85 2937.51 326.39 12272.04

MME 1339.4 0 870.23 0 2209.63

Total 34824.4728 3160.38 22626.0944 2054.16 62665.107

Financial proposal against recurring heads under AWP & B, 2014-15

(Rs. In lakh)

Component Physical Requirement of Fund

Replacement of Kitchen Devices 17666 587.45Hand washing facilities in schools 10000 1000.00Re-imbursement against use of LPG 2498 816.68Weighing balance machine 15000 300.00

Total 2704.13

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Rs. in lakh

Physical and Financial proposal against non-recurring assistance under AWP & B, 2014-15

NB : Activities namely Hand Washing Facilities in schools and Weighing Balance are proposed in pursuance to the recommendation of 5th JRM

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Meeting of State Steering Cum Monitoring Committee for approval of AWP & B, 2014-15, MDMS, held on 12th February,2014.

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Snapshots

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Central Kitchen of Akshay Patra Foundation

Design of Hand wash facilities with reference to the proposal of hand wash at school No.1 under AWP&B, 2014-15 (Type –I)

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Design of Hand wash facilities with reference to the proposal of hand wash at school No.1 under AWP&B, 2014-15 (Type –II)

Thank You