The Indian Express            03.08.2013

In a first, South corpn installs cameras in midday meal kitchens to monitor quality

The unique initiative will now enable the civic agency to monitor
NGO kitchens supplying midday meals to its schools, and keep a close
watch on food preparation and distribution.

The decision to install the cameras in the kitchens comes in the
backdrop of the tragedy in Bihar, in which 23 children lost their lives
after consuming contaminated midday meals.

The cameras have been set up inside main kitchens of NGOs, apart
from godowns, storage and packaging areas, and areas where the meals are
loaded on trucks. Footage will be stored for 30 days and senior
corporation officials will be able to view it anytime.

“While on surprise visits to several schools, we realised that it
was impossible to effectively monitor everything by visiting the
premise alone. What was required was constant surveillance, through
which we could ensure that standards were adhered to strictly. The
webcams will help us monitor just that,” South corporation education
committee chairman Satish Upadhyay said.

In addition, the body has also set up a dedicated helpline in its
headquarters and in midday meal kitchens, where people can call in to
complain about shortcomings in quality and supply of food. The NGOs have
also been directed to appoint a nutrition expert in their facilities,
who has to ensure that the body follows the prescribed standards in
terms of quality of raw materials.

The body has also instructed all workers engaged in midday meal
preparation and distribution to carry their photo identity cards and
wear prescribed uniforms.

A corpus fund of Rs 6.9 crore has been kept aside for the midday meal scheme.

Currently, three NGOs — Ekta Shakti Foundation, Isckon Food
Relief Foundation and Jay Gee Humanitarian Society — provide midday
meals to schools in NDMC areas. Over 3 lakh students from 589 primary
schools and 14 nursery schools are served food everyday.