As per a recent survey conducted by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) across the country, Maharashtra ranked 11 for its implementation of the Midday Meal Scheme (MMS) for children from Std I to Std VIII (primary section). The study revealed that about 32 per cent (39.62 lakh) school children were yet to be covered under the MMS. The survey was conducted between April and July 2013, just a month prior to the horrific food poisoning incident in Bihar.

“In Maharashtra, the total number of children studying between Std I and Std VIII, who are expected to be covered under the MMS, is 1,23,84,320. As per the survey, at present 84.18 lakh students are being covered under the scheme. There are various reasons behind this huge gap, but efforts are on to bridge it,” Mahaveer Mane, state education director (Primary), said.