During its visit to Amritsar, the Punjab State Food Commission observed that the Mid-Day Meal (MDM) Scheme has been discontinued in some schools run by the Pingalwara Institution. The Commission expressed serious concern over this matter and instructed the District Education Officer (Secondary) to submit a detailed report to the Commission at the earliest.
The meeting was chaired by Sh. Bal Mukand Sharma, Chairperson of the Commission, and attended by Members Sh. Vijay Dutt, Sh. Chetan Dhaliwal, and Sh. Jasveer Singh Sekhon. The Commission directed the district administration to ensure that no eligible student is deprived of the benefits of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and that the scheme be re-initiated in the Pingalwara schools without delay.
The meeting was also attended by Smt. Amandeep Kaur, Additional Deputy Commissioner (Urban Development), along with senior officers from the Health Department, Education Department, Social Security Department, Forest Department, Ayurvedic Department, and Food Safety Department. Discussions were also held on the effective implementation of the National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2023, Poshan Vatika (Nutrition Garden), quality testing of drinking water in schools, health and hygiene measures, and the upcoming “Food is Medicine” workshop.
In his concluding remarks, Chairperson Sh. Bal Mukand Sharma appreciated the efforts of all departments and emphasized the need for timely and coordinated implementation of all government directives related to food security, nutrition, and sanitation. He also stressed the importance of an integrated monitoring system for better execution of food-related welfare schemes.
Before the meeting, all Commission members visited the Pingalwara Organic Farm at Jandiala Guru and the Pingalwara Institution at Manawala. The Commission reviewed various welfare and educational activities being carried out there and interacted with Dr. Inderjit Kaur, President of Pingalwara, who briefed the Commission about the institution’s functioning and humanitarian services.
At the Pingalwara Organic Farm, Master Rajveer Singh shared detailed information on organic and sustainable farming practices. The Commission appreciated his efforts and recognized the farm as a model of sustainable and value-based agriculture.