3111 children to be covered with mid day meal

Imphal, Oct 26 (UNI) The Centre has extended the mid day meal scheme to the Upper Primary Stage of Education effective from October 1 with the identification of 3479 Educationally Backward Blocks (EBBs) in 2007-08.

The Scheme will cover about 1.7 crore children at upper primary stage in the country during the current year, official sources said.

They said the Scheme would cover 3111 children at Upper Primary Stage in five EBBs in Manipur. The Centre released central assistance amounting to Rs 8.59 lakh towards cooking cost to Manipur for Upper Primary Stage during 2007-08.

Calorific food of the mid day meal for upper primary was fixed at 700 calories and 20 grams of protein. The cooking cost would be Rs.

2.50 per child/school day for NE states. Transport subsidy for 11 Special Category States, including Manipur, was enhanced from Rs.

100 per quintal to Rs. 125 per quintal.

UNI