Latest news with #GinuZachariaOommen
The Hindu
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
47 Tamil medium students now will be part of midday meal scheme in Idukki
As many as 47 upper primary (UP) Tamil medium students of the Udumbanchola Government High School in Idukki will now be part of the midday meal scheme. According to officials, a lower primary Tamil medium school began in the tea plantation sector of Udumbanchola in 1999. The State government upgraded this school to a high school in the 2011-12 academic year. However, the upper primary section of the school was functioning here without a government approval. Therefore, the UP students were not eligible for the midday meal scheme or other government assistance. In February 2024, the headteacher of the school submitted an application to the Food Commission, requesting to include the upper primary students in the midday meal scheme. Based on this request, the Food Commission asked the Deputy Director of Education in Idukki to provide a report, which recommended to include the students in the scheme. Order issued The Food Commission had in November 2024 directed the State government to take steps to include the students in the scheme. The Director of General Education was recently issued an order to include the students in the scheme. State Food Commission Chairperson Ginu Zacharia Oommen said that the 47 upper primary students belong to the plantation sector and are from low-income families. 'The Commission had asked the State government to consider this a special case and to include the students in the midday meal scheme,' said Dr. Oommen. The midday meal scheme will be helpful to the students as well as their parents,' he added. According to officials, only students in government approved schools are eligible for the midday meal scheme (officially known as PM-POSHAN), a Centrally-sponsored scheme.
The Hindu
23-04-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Food Commission inspects Aralam farm
The State Food Commission, led by Chairperson Dr. Ginu Zacharia Oommen, conducted a comprehensive inspection of the tribal settlements at Aralam farm to evaluate the implementation of the National Food Security Act, 2013. The visit on Wednesday covered blocks 7, 9, 10, and 11, focussing on the public distribution system and child nutrition services. The team visited Anganwadis in blocks 9 and 10, where the nutrition of 49 children and early education of 17 children at the Valayanchal Anganwadi were found being managed effectively. However, concerns were raised regarding irregular attendance at the Anganwadi in block 10 due to wild elephant intrusions. The Commission urged the panchayat, Integrated Child Development Services and Forest department to devise a joint strategy to ensure uninterrupted nutritional support for children. A review meeting to further assess the implementation of food security schemes will be held at the Kannur Collectorate on April 24. Aralam grama panchayat president K.P. Rajesh, ward member Mini Dineshan, and officials were present.
