Women self-help groups, accompnied by Amruta Fadnavis, wife of Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis met Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Ajoy Mehta on Tuesday to demand relaxation in conditions stated in the tender of mid-day meals. According to Mehta, most of the rules with regard to mid-day meals is set by the Centre and the civic body needs to communicate with the Government.
Every year, the BMC hands over contracts to women self-help groups to provide mid-day meals to students. This year, the conditions laid down in the tender are such that self-help groups are finding it difficult to fit in. "One of the conditions read that the kitchen area has to be a minimum of 1,000 square feet. How can self-help groups afford so much area in a city like Mumbai?" said Anisha Majgaonkar, one of the group co-ordinators.
"Another condition requires a yearly turnover of Rs 50 lakh, which is also not possible for the women groups. Some of the rules can't be accomplished in big cities and has to be modified," said another woman, who works closely with these self-help groups. The groups also face issues related to late and irregular payment from the schools. Amruta Fadanvis said, "These women need some co-operation from the civic body and the commissioner was positive about their demands."
