Patna: The state’s education department has initiated a major reform to improve the efficiency of the mid-day meal (MDM) scheme across nearly 71,000 primary schools. In a move aimed at ensuring timely and regular meals for students, the appointment of cooks and helpers will now be based on the actual number of enrolled children in each school.Director of the MDM scheme, Vinayak Mishra, has asked all district programme officers to upload updated student enrolment data on the e-ShikshaKosh portal. This step is expected to enable accurate assessment of staffing requirements, ensuring that each school has an adequate number of cooks and assistants to manage meal preparation effectively.Under the revised guidelines, strict accountability has also been introduced. If the position of cook or helper remains vacant for more than one month, departmental action will be taken against the concerned officials. The responsibility for such lapses will lie with the district education programme officer, reinforcing the system’s accountability.Previously, staffing decisions were based on 85% of total enrolment, which was later revised to 75%. The new approach eliminates reliance on estimated figures and focuses entirely on real-time enrolment data, making the system more transparent and practical.Additionally, the department has clarified that vacancies arising due to retirement at the age of 60, death or resignation will not be filled based on previous calculations. Instead, fresh appointments will be made strictly according to the current enrolment figures of the respective schools.The education department has emphasised that all vacant positions must be filled within one month. This directive aims to ensure that the Mid-Day Meal Scheme continues without interruption, guaranteeing that no child is deprived of meals due to staff shortages.212 co-op staff given temporary charge of higher postsThe cooperative department has assigned temporary charge of higher posts to 212 non-gazetted employees, with an official notification issued on Tuesday.The decision was taken at a departmental screening committee meeting held on April 24 under the chairmanship of registrar Rajneesh Kumar Singh. Based on the recommendations, employees from various categories have been given higher responsibilities.As per the notification, key assignments include 79 upper divisional clerks to head clerks, 54 senior audit officers to sub-divisional audit officers and several others across clerical and extension posts. The move also includes provisions for persons with disabilities as per reservation norms.The department stated that employees will receive the salary and benefits of the higher posts.
