Privatising breakfast scheme in the Govt schools in Chennai - Whats happening now?
In as many as 358 government schools in Chennai, CMS breakfast scheme has been operating and as a result more than 65000 students are getting benefited by this amazing scheme.
In this scenario, an order has been issued by the state government and following the order the GCC or Greater Chennai Corporation has floated a tender to privatise the breakfast scheme present in the schools in Chennai.
It must be recalled that this breakfast scheme was implemented in the 2022-23 financial year. In the first phase, the government aimed to provide to more than 1.14lakhs students studying in 1545 government primary schools from classes 1to 5. It must be noted that these schools are functioning in municipal corporations, municipalities, rural and hilly regions etc.
It was mentioned in a letter from the social welfare commissioner to the GCC commissioner that breakfast is being provided under the CM`s Breakfast Scheme to 65030 students studying in the classes 1 t 5 in the government schools in 358 schools which include corporation schools, government schools, Adi Dravidar schools operating in all the 15 zones from August 2023.
As per an order from the TN government, GCC has been asked to outsource it for the schools in Chennai. The order further added that for projects that would cost more than Rs 10 cr a administrative approval was required from the government. One important condition was that the breakfast must be prepared in good quality by a qualified agency and supplied to the schools in Chennai. On Sunday, GCC floated a tender (based on this) for outsourcing it for a year in Chennai.
One issue regarding the privatisation of a govt sponsored scheme was the contractors would not be held accountable. This was brought out by many ward councillors.
