Kerala HC Sets Deadline for Pending Midday Meal Funds, Directs Swift Disbursement

The Kerala High Court has issued a decisive directive to the state government, emphasizing the immediate disbursement of the pending Rs 55.16 crore allocated for the midday meal scheme in schools. The court’s order came after the government’s counsel confirmed that an order had been issued on September 30, sanctioning an additional Rs 55.16 crore as arrears of payments, supplementing the earlier allocation of Rs 100.02 crore for the scheme.

The directive was issued during the hearing of petitions filed by the Kerala Pradesh School Teachers Association and certain government and aided school headmasters. These petitions raised concerns about the untimely and insufficient disbursal of funds under the midday meal scheme. Justice TR Ravi presided over the proceedings, scheduling the matter for further consideration on Thursday.

Notably, the court not only mandated the immediate release of the pending funds but also urged the government to assess whether the allocated amount is adequate to cover all outstanding payments under the scheme until the end of the academic year. Furthermore, the court stressed the importance of the government deciding whether teachers should bear any financial burden for this purpose.

Despite earlier assurances from the government regarding the clearance of all arrears within 15 days, the court pointed out that the arrears remained unpaid even after September 30. In response, the government confirmed the issuance of an order to transfer an additional Rs 55.16 crore to the nodal account of the Director of General Education for the midday meal scheme.

This ruling highlights the critical need for the timely disbursal of funds to sustain essential educational programs like the midday meal scheme, ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of these initiatives in schools across the state.

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