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1.4 Proposed Measures by Akshaya Patra

While a promising programme, a few measures will ensure enabling adherence to the
global Sustainable Development Goals. Discussed below are some measures proposed by
The Akshaya Patra Foundation.

A strong directive for Capacity building and
1.3 Challenges/Hurdles Correspondingly, the Government has also selecting the NGOs to training, specifically
withdrawn certain tax exemptions and become the implementing addressing the needs of
In a diverse country like India, implement- deductions. Non-profits registered under arm of the Programme centralised kitchen staff
ing a programme of this scale is bound to Section 80G of Income Tax Act continue to can be conducted for at
face certain challenges. provide 50% tax exemption. Setting up effective food least twice every year

safety standards and norms
Funding Poor infrastructure
The National Plan of Action for Children After the Supreme Court directive, proper Inclusive participation
(NPAC) recommends that at least 5% of the implementation of the scheme would have International of NGOs in district level
Union Budget be spent on schemes and seen a prudent study done before the Collaborations: Consider Steering-cum-Monitoring
programmes directly related to children. execution began. On-site cooking, while partnerships and Committee and in Social
appealing, lacked safety measures and co-operation programmes Audit Committee (SAC)
Budget 2017-18 saw a meagre hike of 3% adequate infrastructure. Centralised cooking with governments and
(i.e., 300 crore) with the total allocation required certain food safety, quality and organisations of other A robust Grievance
for the Scheme increasing from INR 9,700 hygiene factors to be considered. countries that have Redressal Mechanism
crore (2016-17) to INR 10,000 crore. developed technology and
Lapses in reporting and monitoring expertise
Appropriate budget needs to be provided Lack of monitoring of quality and sufficiency An effective feedback
for an efficiently run Mid-Day Meal of food is observed on various fronts. In many Provisions for NGOs mechanism
Programme. According to the World Bank cases, the meals received are of low quality to raise donations
data (2012), India spends only 3.8% of and are insufficient for a healthy growing from public and foster
its GDP on education as against a global child. Nutritional norms are not being met community involvement Monitoring and
average of 4.4%. Adequate funding and where proper monitoring is absent. and provide guidelines to evaluation (as required
its proper execution is required to ensure ensure accountability for centralised kitchens)
sustainability of this programme. Apathy towards the underserved on the part of the
A general apathy and treatment of school Provisions to enable implementing NGOs must
In the Union Budget for 17-18, , the children as burdens is observed among many NGOs to avail exemptions be a continuous process in
Finance Minister announced the Government and Government schools. This to bring clarity in claiming order to maintain quality
withdrawal of Section 35AC of Income might lead to negligence when it comes to cooking cost subsidies and safety
Tax Act. The decision was made in order to quality and safety of the food provided to the
simplify in order to simplify tax laws and to children.
bring about transparency and clarity in the
income tax structure. The Government has While many NGOs implement the
also initiated certain other reforms such as Government’s Mid-Day Meal Programme; a
the reduction in corporate tax for the next prudent, robust and effective guideline for
four years. functioning would add value to the scheme.

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