Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis An Essential Book for all who love to build their vocabulary

Thursday, March 23, 2017

NMMSE 2016 West Bengal Result published

You already came to know that the result for NMMSE 2016 (Class VIII) which was conducted in the month of Nov 2016 was published by the Govt.

Now the awardee has a lot of thing to do...


SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME FOR NTS



CIRCULAR

Updating/ filling up of data of National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship Examination, 2016

For updating/ filling up of data of National Means cum Merit Scholarship Examination,2016, the selected candidates are requested to follow the steps given below:-
1. log in to their own account in www.scholarships.wbsed.gov.in using their registration number and password. If the candidate forgets his or her password he/she can retrieve it from 'forgot pass word menu'.
2. After logging in, they will find Candidate's Dashboard. There is a 'Update Information button'. The button is to be clicked.
3. A form of Candidate's information data will be opened which have to be filled up/ updated/ rectified within 15days. Otherwise payment through DBT cannot be made.


By Order
Deputy Director of School Education (Basic),
&
Nodal Officer, NMMSE, 2016
West Bengal
Click Here to see you result and update your information



ENTRALLY SPONSORED NATIONAL MEANS CUM MERIT SCHOLARSHIP EXAMINATION RESULT 2016

Circular
Updating / filling up of data of National Means-Cum-Merit Scholarship Examination, 2016
For updating/ filling up of data of National Means cum Merit Scholarship Examination, 2016, the selected candidates are requested to follow the steps given below:-
1. log in to their own account in www.scholarships.wbsed.gov.in using their registration number and password. If the candidate forgets his or her password he/she can retrieve it from ‘Forgot password’.
2. After logging in, they will find Candidate’s Dashboard. There is a ‘Update Information’ button. The button is to be clicked.
3. A form of Candidate’s information data will be opened which have to be filled up/ updated/ rectified within 31st March, 2017. Otherwise payment through DBT cannot be made.
By Order                         
Deputy Director of School Education (Basic),
&                                       
Nodal Officer, NMMSE, 2016                 
West Bengal             

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Stage I NTSE 2017 Result West Bengal State

NTSE Result 2017

The Government of West Bengal has declared the result of  stage I of NTSE 2017

Click Here

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Rate of PF Interest Rate for 2016-17

Rate of PF Interest for the first three Quarters of FY 2016-17
For the  1st Quarter i.e. 1st  Apr 2016-30th Jun 2016 :                    8.1% 
(G.O. No 2631-F(J)-WB dated 30/6/2016)

For the 2nd Quarter i.e 1st July 2016-30th Sept 2016 :                    8.1% 
(G.O. No 4024-F(J)-WB dated 21/10/2016)


For the 3rd Quarter i.e 1st October 2016-31st Dec 2016 :                    8.0% 
(G.O. No 4793-F(J)-WB dated 20/12/2016)




Saturday, March 04, 2017

GUIDELINES ON FOOD SAFETY AND HYGIENE FOR SCHOOL LEVEL KITCHENS UNDER MID-DAY MEAL (MDM) SCHEME

GUIDELINES ON FOOD SAFETY AND HYGIENE FOR SCHOOL LEVEL KITCHENS UNDER MID-DAY MEAL (MDM) SCHEME

 ABBREVIATIONS AGMARK : Agriculture Grading and Marketing CCHs : Cook- cum Helpers CSIR : Council of Scientific and Industrial Research DFS : Double Fortified Salt FAQ :Fair Average Quality FCI : Food Corporation of India FEFO : First Expire First Out FIFO : First in, First Out FSSAI : Food Standards and Safety Authority of India ISI : Indian Standards Institute KS : Kitchen cum Store LPG : Liquefied Petroleum Gas MDMS : Mid-Day Meal Scheme NABL: National Accreditation Board for testing and calibration Laboratories PDS : Public Distribution System RTE : Right to Education SHGs: Self Help Groups SMC: School Management Committee STC: Special Training Centre WASH: Water Sanitation and Hygiene WHO: World Health Organization | Contents 1. Food safety and hygiene 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Lifting and transportation of food grains 1.3 Procurement of oil , pulses and condiments 1.4 Procurement of perishable raw materials 1.5 Storage of raw materials 1.6 Food safety measures 1.6.1 Food safety measures during preparation 1.6.2 Food safety measures during cooking 1.7 Tasting of mid-day meal 1.8 Testing of mid-day meal 1.9 Cleaning of cooking areas 1.10 Cleaning of utensils, equipments and other materials 1.11 Personal hygiene, cleanliness and health checkups of cook cum helpers 1.12 Pest control 2. Hand washing for children 3. Infrastructural requirement for food safety and hygiene of Kitchen cum store 3.1 Kitchen cum store 3.2 Water supply 3.3 Testing of Water 3.4 Drainage and waste disposal 3.5 Food serving area 1. FOOD SAFETY AND HYGIENE 1.1 Introduction Mid-day Meal (MDM) scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme which serves hot cooked mid-day meal to school children studying in Classes I-VIII of Government, Governmentaided schools, Special Training centres (STC) and Madarasas and Maktabs supported under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. The MDMs guidelines envisage to provide cooked mid-day meal with 450 calories and 12 g of protein to every child at primary level and 700 calories and 20 g of protein at upper primary level. This energy and protein requirement for a primary child comes from cooking 100 g of rice/flour, 20 g pulses and 50 g vegetables and 5 g oil, and for an upper primary child it comes from 150 g of rice/flour, 30 g of pulses and 75 g of vegetables and 7.5 g of oil. The mid-day meal should contain adequate nutrients and should be, palatable, hygienic, and operationally feasible. These food safety guidelines are for school level kitchens only, where the mid-day meal is cooked for children. Quality assurance of mid -day meal and food safety should be an integral part of food handling procedures at the school kitchen. The food provided through these kitchens should be nutritious, free from food adulterants, contamination pathogens, artificial non food grade colours, and additives and adhere to food safety and quality norms. Food safety encompasses selection, handling, preparation, and storage of food in ways that prevent food borne illness and contamination. This includes a number of routines that should be followed to avoid potentially severe health hazards Food contamination refers to the presence in food of harmful chemicals and microorganisms which lead to illness. The types of contaminants can be categorised as under: a) Biological contaminant: includes bacteria, yeasts, molds, viruses or parasites that are present in air, food, water, soil, animals and humans etc. b) Physical contaminant: Foreign bodies in food are usually due to accidental contamination and / or poor handling practices these are visible particles like pebbles, Page 6 of 15 stones, metal, glass, wood, insects, soil, dirt, jewellery, hair, fingernails sneezing and coughing etc. c) Chemical contaminant: Includes Chemicals used for cleaning and sanitizing food contact surfaces; Pest control chemicals, paints and water treatment chemicals; Pesticides, fertilizers, fungicides. 1.2 Lifting and transportation of food grains i. As mandated under MDM scheme, food grains are provided by Food Corporation of India. Food grains are to be allocated bi-annually by the Department of School Education & Literacy with the concurrence of Department of Food and Public Distribution for primary and upper primary school level separately. FCI is to ensure continuous availability of adequate quantity of food grains, which will be in any case not less than of Fair Average Quality (FAQ) in its Depots. FCI will appoint a Nodal Officer for each State to take care of various problems in supply of food grains under the scheme. ii. The sample (in triplicate) of stocks proposed to be lifted will be drawn jointly in the presence of the representatives of the Collector and/or Chief Executive Officer, District Panchayat and the FCI and the sample slips will be jointly signed and sealed. One such sealed sample will be given to State Government representative, one will be sent to FCI District Office and one will be retained at the depot. iii. Samples of lifted food grains shall be retained for 3 months in token of quality of grains received from FCI. In case any complaint of low quality of food grains is received within this period, these samples can be used to ascertain the veracity of the complaint iv. The guidelines relating to lifting and transportation of food grains are based on the guidelines issued by MHRD vide letter no F.1-15/2009 – Desk (MDM) dated 10th February, 2010. 1.3 Procurement of oil, pulses and condiments i. Only packed dals, salt, spices, condiments and oil with AGMARK quality symbol should be purchased. Any ingredient being sold loose should never be bought. The packaging and expiry date of the ingredients should be checked. ii. Only “double fortified salt” should be used for cooking mid day meals. Food grains should be stored in standard bins while, plastic food grade containers are ideal for storage of dals, spices, condiments and other ingredients. Page 7 of 15 1.4 Procurement of perishable raw material i. Vegetable, fruits and perishable food commodities should be procured fresh and storing for longer time/duration should be avoided. ii. Perishable items should not be stored in plastic bags as these get spoilt quickly due to lack of transpiration. Such items have to be stored away from sunlight, in a cool place. iii. Zero energy cool chambers are a low cost alternative to store horticulture produce. This is an on-farm storage chamber, for fresh fruits, vegetables to extend their marketability. Due to their high moisture content fruits and vegetables have very short life and are liable to spoil. The zero energy cool chambers can be constructed easily with materials like brick, sand, bamboo, khas khas/straw, gunny bag etc. The chamber can keep the temperature 10-15 0 C cooler than the outside temperature and maintain about 90% relative humidity. It is most effective during the summer. iv. Storage of raw materials, ingredients should be subject to FEFO (First Expire First Out) or FIFO (First in, First Out) stock rotation system as applicable. Containers made of non-toxic materials should be provided for storage of raw materials. The food materials shall be stored on racks / pallets such that they are reasonably well above the floor level and away from the wall so as to facilitate effective cleaning and prevent harbouring of any pests, insects or rodents. v. No raw material or ingredient should be accepted if it is known to contain parasites, undesirable micro-organisms, pesticides, veterinary drugs or toxic items, decomposed or extraneous substances, which would not be reduced to an acceptable level by normal sorting and/or processing. vi. All raw materials, food additives and ingredients, wherever applicable, should conform to all the regulations and standards laid down under the relevant laws. vii. All raw materials should be physically checked & thoroughly cleaned. Raw materials should be purchased in quantities that correspond to storage/ preservation capacity. Packaged raw material must be checked for 'expiry date'/ 'best before'/ 'use by' date, packaging integrity and storage conditions. 1.5 Storage of raw material i. The supply of food grains like wheat and rice should not be stored for more than a quarter; they may be stored in airtight bins or stacked neatly in gunny bags or bins Page 8 of 15 and stored in area free of rodents and insects. Food grain should not be stored directly on the ground; a wooden plank should be used for stacking of food grains. ii. In respect of storage of other raw materials, it should be stored in bags, should be away from the walls (about one feet) to avoid absorption of moisture; the height of the wooden plank may be at least 8 to 12 cms above the floor. iii. Ingredients like double fortified salt, condiments, oils soya bean, pulses etc. should be stored in airtight containers. iv. All containers should be of materials that do not impart toxicity to food. These containers should be cleaned at regular intervals and thoroughly dried before use. It should be ensured that ingredients used for cooking such as food grains, pulses, vegetables, cooking oil and condiments, are free from adulteration, contaminants, pest and infestation. v. All stored raw materials and ingredients must be kept under dry and cool and ventilated conditions that will prevent spoilage, protect against contamination by pathogenic microorganisms, insects, rodents, foreign bodies, chemicals and damage. This implies that food and non-food materials should not be stored in the same area and not all food materials can be stored together because of risk of contamination. vi. Storage of fuels, disinfectants, detergents, cleaning agents should be strictly away from the stored raw materials and under lock and key. 1.6 Food Safety Measures: 1.6.1 Food Safety measures during preparation i. The cereals and pulses should be manually cleaned before cooking to remove any extraneous matter. ii. ‘Single Dish Meals’ using broken wheat or rice and incorporating some amount of a pulse or soya beans, a seasonal vegetable/green leafy vegetable, and some amount of edible oil will save both time and fuel besides being nutritious. iii. Cereal pulse combination is necessary to have good quality protein. The cereal pulse ratio could range from 3:1 to 5:1.Sprouted pulses have more nutrients and should be incorporated in single dish meals. iv. Leafy vegetables when added to any preparation should be thoroughly washed before cutting and should not be subjected to washing after cutting. v. For chopping vegetables a clean chopping board should be used. Page 9 of 15 1.6.2 Food Safety Measures during Cooking i. Recipes requiring fermentation and sprouted pulses lead to increase in nutrition value and accordingly should be considered as an option in the menu. ii. Cooking must be done with the lid on to avoid loss of nutrients and contamination. iii. The containers should be checked for its cleanliness. iv. Temperature of the mid-day meal when served should be maintained at 65°C. Microorganisms multiply at a fast pace when the food is kept at temperature between 5°C and 60°C which represents the danger zone due to thermophilic and thermoduric nature. Therefore, food should be served to children immediately after being cooked. v. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian items should be segregated. Fridge wherever available should be cleaned at least once a week to remove stains, ice particles and food particles. The temperature in the fridge should be in the range of 4°C - 6°C vi. Requisite number of CCHs should be deputed at school level for the distribution of food from centralized kitchen for the distribution of mid-day meal with proper gear (gloves, apron and caps etc). vii. The school management should be encouraged to draw on the support of the community. Gram Panchayats and School Management Committees/Village Education Committees may be approached for involving community members in regular inspections, on a rotation basis, to help the school management in ensuring efficient quality cooking, serving and cleaning operations. Support of the community members, including mothers’ groups, should also be solicited to ensure that children wash their hands with soap before eating, use clean plates and glasses, avoid littering and wastage of food, and rinse their hands and mouth after eating. 1.7 Tasting of the mid-day meals by teacher The tasting of the food by a teacher just before serving is mandatory. The teacher is to maintain a record of tasting in a register. SMC member should also taste the food on a rotation basis along with the teachers before it is distributed to the children. 1.8 Testing of mid-day meal The States/UTs must consider engaging CSIR Institutes / NABL accredited laboratories and FSSAI accredited laboratories for undertaking testing of samples of MDM for food safety and contamination (microbial and chemical). 1.9 Cleaning of cooking areas Page 10 of 15 i. The floors of kitchen and the slabs should be cleaned every day before and after the food is cooked. Special attention should be paid to the cleaning of obstructed sites including cooking areas and at the junction of floors and walls. ii. The cooking areas must be kept cleaned at all times. It is important that surfaces in direct contact with food must be both clean and dry before use. Cracks, rough surfaces, open joints etc. must be repaired as soon as possible. 1.10 Cleaning of utensils, equipments and other materials i. Cleaning accessories such as cloths, mops and brushes carry a very high risk of cross contamination. They must therefore be thoroughly washed, cleaned and dried after use. Cleaning accessories used in the cooking area/packing area should not be used in other parts of the kitchen. Sun drying of the cleaning accessories in a clean and tidy place should be done. ii. Tables, benches and boxes, cupboards, glass cases, etc. shall be clean and tidy. Cooking utensils and crockery should be clean and in good condition. These should not be broken/ chipped. iii. Utensils should be cleaned of debris, rinsed, scrubbed with detergent and washed under running tap water after every operation. Wiping of utensils should be done with clean cloth. Clean cloths should be used for wiping hands and for clearing surfaces. Cloth used for floor cleaning should not be used for cleaning surfaces of tables and working areas and for wiping utensils. Dust or crumb from plates or utensils should be removed into dustbin by using cloth or wiper. iv. Assessories and containers that come in contact with food and used for food handling, storage, preparation and serving should be made of corrosion free materials which do not impart any toxicity to the food material and should be easy to clean and /or disinfect. v. Equipment and utensils used in the preparation of food should be kept at all times in good order and repair and in a clean and sanitary condition. Such utensil or container should not be used for any other purpose. vi. Every utensil or container containing any food or ingredient of food should at all times be either provided with a properly fitted cover/lid or with a clean gauze net or other material of texture sufficiently fine to protect the food completely from dust, dirt and flies and other insects. 1.11 Personal hygiene, cleanliness and health checkups of Cook cum Helpers i. Cooks and helpers should maintain a high degree of personal hygiene and cleanliness. Page 11 of 15 The person suffering from infectious disease should not be permitted to work. Biannual health checks up should be undertaken to ensure fitness for the job of CCH. Cooks/helpers should report immediately to their supervisors, if they are suffering from any disease likely to be transmitted via food, e.g. diarrhoea or vomiting, infected wounds like, skin infections, jaundice or sores. ii. All food handlers should remain clean, wear washed clothes and keep their finger nails trimmed, clean and wash their hands with soap/ detergent and water before commencing work and every time after touching, raw or contaminated food or using toilet. All Cook cum helpers should avoid wearing loose items that might fall into food and also avoid touching or scratching their face, head or hair. iii. It should be ensured that all CCHs are instructed and trained in food hygiene and food safety aspects along with personal hygiene requirements commensurate with their work activities, the nature of food, its handling, preparation, service and distribution.. Training programmes should be regularly reviewed and updated wherever necessary. iv. Nail polish or artificial nails should not be worn because they can become foreign bodies and may compromise on food safety. No watches, rings, jewellery and bangles should be worn during cooking, serving and distribution where there is a danger of contamination of product. v. Chewing, smoking, spitting and nose blowing should be prohibited within the premises especially while handling food. vi. The CCHs should have adequate and suitable clean protective clothing, head covering hair should be tied up neatly and ensured that the CCHs at work wear only clean protective clothes and head covering essentially during MDM operation. vii. The CCHs should wash their hands at least each time work is resumed and whenever contamination of their hands has occurred; e.g. after coughing / sneezing, visiting toilet, using telephone, smoking etc; avoid certain hand habits - e.g. scratching nose, running finger through hair, rubbing eyes, ears and mouth, scratching beard, scratching parts of bodies etc.- that are potentially hazardous when associated with handling food products, and might lead to food contamination through the transfer of bacteria from the employee to product during its preparation. When unavoidable, hands should be effectively washed before resuming work after such actions. 1.12 Pest Control i. Cleanliness is essential for effective control of all pests (mainly rodents, birds, and insects). Wire mesh screens, for example on open windows, doors and ventilators, Page 12 of 15 will reduce the problem of pest entry. ii. Generally no pesticides/insecticides should be encouraged or used in cooking area. However if unavoidable, care must be taken to protect people, food, equipment and utensils from contamination before these are applied. Pesticides should always be kept in its original containers, clearly marked and be stored in a locked storage separate from cooking ingredients storage areas. Records of pesticides / insecticides used along with dates and frequency should be maintained. iii. Kitchen and the store area should be kept clean and tidy to prevent pest access and to eliminate potential breeding sites. Holes, drain covers and other places where pests are likely to gain access should be kept in sealed condition or fitted with mesh / grills / claddings or any other suitable means as required and animals, birds and pets should not be allowed to enter into the food storage and cooking area. The school maintenance grant made available under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan may be used for this purpose. iv. Adequate arrangements including installation of fire extinguishers should be made to deal with incidents of accidental fire in the kitchen area of the school. 2. HAND-WASHING FOR CHILDREN i. There should be a dedicated time within the daily time table that will allow enough time for all children, cooks and teachers in the school to wash their hands with soap. The hand washing of the children should be supervised and monitored vigorously . ii. Hand wash with soap before and after eating should be vigoursly promoted. The schools may define an area for hand washing where very simple scalable and cost effective multiple hand washing facilities can be installed to be used by large groups of children at a time. Empty plastic bottles can be filled with liquid soap and diluted with water. 20-30 plastic bottles filled with diluted hand wash liquid can be used for approximately 200 children for hand washing. iii. Wherever proper hand washing facilities are either not available or inadequate for all children, buckets and mugs can be used to supplement the available facilities. 3. INFRASTRUCTURAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FOOD SAFETY AND HYGIENE 3.1 Guidelines for Safety and hygiene of Kitchen-cum-Store i. The Kitchen cum Store should be located in a clean and open place and free from filthy surroundings and should maintain overall hygienic environment. Page 13 of 15 ii. The premises should be clean, adequately lighted and ventilated and have sufficient free space for movement. iii. Floors, ceilings and walls must be maintained in a sound condition. They should be smooth and easy to clean with no flaking paint or plaster. iv. The floor and skirted walls should be washed as per requirement with an effective disinfectant. The premises should be kept free from all insects. No spraying should be done during the cooking of Mid Day Meal, but instead fly swats/ flaps should be used to kill flies getting into the premises. Windows, doors and other openings should be fitted with net or screen, as appropriate to make the premise insect free. The water used in the cooking shall be potable. v. Continuous supply of potable water should be ensured in the premises. In case of intermittent water supply, adequate storage arrangement for water used in food or washing should be made. vi. Arrangements for cleaning of containers, tables, working parts of machinery, etc. should be provided. vii. All utensils should be kept clean, washed, dried and stored at the Kitchen cum store to ensure freedom from growth of mold/ fungi and infestation. viii. All utensils should be placed well away from the walls to allow proper inspection. ix. There should be efficient drainage system and there should be adequate provisions for disposal of refuse. x. Potential sources of contamination like rubbish, waste water, toilet facilities, open drains and stray animals should be kept away from kitchen. xi. Kitchen should be separate from classrooms, preferably located at a safe, but accessible distance. The current norm for a kitchen shed is 20 sq.m of floor space for every 100 children enrolled and thereafter 4 sq. m for every additional 100 children. xii. As far as possible, the layout of the Mid day Meal kitchen should be such that food preparation/processes are not amenable to cross-contamination from washing vegetables/cereals/Pulses/ etc). Floors, ceilings and walls must be maintained in a sound condition to minimize the accumulation of dirt, condensation and growth of undesirable molds. xiii. Floors should be sloped appropriately to facilitate drainage and the drainage should flow in a direction opposite to the direction of food preparation. Adequate control measures should be in place to prevent insects and rodents from entering the processing area from drains. Windows, doors & all other openings to outside Page 14 of 15 environment should preferably be covered with wire-mesh or insect proof screen as applicable to protect the premise from flies and other insects / pests / animals. xiv. Ventilation systems natural and /or mechanical including air filters, exhaust fans, wherever required, should be designed and constructed so that air does not flow from contaminated areas to clean areas. xv. A display board mentioning do's & don'ts for the CCHs should be put up inside at a prominent place in the premise in local language for everyone's understanding. xvi. Properly constructed chimneys are required in the kitchens. Chimneys should not be the entry point of insects; reptile’s etc. Fuel (kerosene/fuel wood/ charcoal/LPG) should be stored/installed safely, so that there is no fire hazard. Smokeless chulhas should be used to the extent possible. The Kitchen should have full visibility with sunlight or artificial light. xvii. If kerosene/gas is used for cooking, the CCHs should be specifically trained in safe handling of stoves, gas cylinders, etc. Raised platform for cooking, adequate light, proper ventilation and arrangement for drainage and waste disposal. The dustbin should have a lid and should be always covered. xviii. The Right to free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act 2009 provide the legal framework for the quality education in India and mandates minimum norms and standards for infrastructure in schools including kitchen cum store . 3.2 Water supply i. Continuous supply of potable water should be ensured in the premises. In case of intermittent water supply, adequate storage arrangement for water used in food or washing should be made. Water used for cleaning, washing and preparing food should be potable in nature. ii. Water storage tanks, if available, should be cleaned periodically and records of the same should be maintained. Non potable water can be used provided it is intended only for cleaning of equipment not coming in contact with food. iii. Non potable water pipes should be clearly distinguished from those in use for potable water. 3.3 Testing of Water In the kitchens of Mid-day Meal bore water/tap water/hand-pump water is being used (in general) for cooking, drinking and washing. Water needs to be tested for chemical as well as microbiological contamination. The testing of water can be done in Page 15 of 15 convergence with the concerned water supply/Public Health Engineering departments of the States/UTs. 3.4 Drainage and Waste Disposal i. Adequate drainage, waste disposal systems and facilities should be provided and they should be designed and constructed in such manner so that the risk of contaminating food or the potable water supply is eliminated. Waste storage should be located in such manner that it does not contaminate the food process, storage areas, the environment inside and outside the kitchen and waste should be kept in covered containers and removed at regular intervals. Periodic disposal of the refuse/ waste should be made compulsory. ii. Waste material generated during the cooking of food should be kept in a separate container of adequate size with a proper cover preferably one which need not be touched to open should be provided in the premises for collection of food waste material. This should be emptied and washed and dried daily before next use. 3.5 Food serving area i. If the meals are served in a dining room, or school veranda/class room or a hall in the schools, this should be spacious enough, well ventilated and with windows having wire mesh. The room should be cleaned every day before the school starts functioning.




Mid day Meal Rules 2015

MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT 
(Department of School Education and Literacy) 
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 30th September, 2015 G.S.R.743(E).–In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) read with clause (b) of sub-section (2) of section 39 of the National Food Security Act, 2013 (20 of 2013), the Central Government hereby makes the following rules, namely:-
1. Short title and commencement. –
(1) These rules may be called the Mid-Day Meal Rules, 2015.
(2) They shall come into force on the date of their publication in the official Gazette.
2. Definitions. – In these rules, unless the context otherwise requires, -
(a) “Act” means the National Food Security Act, 2013 (20 of 2013);
(b) “foodgrains” means rice, wheat, coarse grains or any combination thereof conforming to such quality norms as may be determined, by order, by the Central Government from time to time;
(c) “food security allowance” means the food grain and money to be paid by the concerned State Government to the entitled person under section 8 of the Act;
(d) “meal” means hot cooked meal;
(e) “School” includes any school run by Local Bodies, Government or aided by the Government including madrasas and maqtabs supported under Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan;
(f) “section” means the section of the Act; and
(g) words and expressions used herein and not defined but defined in the Act shall have the meanings respectively assigned to them in the Act.
 3. Entitlement for nutritional meal. – Every child within the age group of six to fourteen years studying in classes I to VIII who enrol and attend the school, shall be provided meal having nutritional standards as specified in Schedule II of the Act, free of charge every day except on school holidays.
4. Place of serving meal. – The meal shall be served to children at school only.
5. Preparation of meals and maintenance of standards and quality. –
(1) The meal shall be prepared in accordance with the Mid Day Meal guidelines issued by the Central Government from time to time and in accordance with the provisions of Schedule II of the Act.
(2) Every school shall have the facility for cooking meal in hygienic manner. Schools in urban area may use the facility of centralised kitchens for cooking meals wherever required in accordance with the guidelines issued by the Central Government and the meal shall be served to children at respective school only.
6. State Steering-cum-Monitoring Committee for Mid-Day Meal Scheme. – The State Steering-cum Monitoring Committee (SSMC) shall oversee the implementation of the scheme with a view to ensure implementation of the Act including establishment of a mechanism for maintenance of nutritional standards and quality of meals.
7. Role of School Management Committee (SMC) for monitoring Mid-day meals scheme. –
(1) The School Management Committee mandated under Right to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 shall also monitor implementation of the Mid-day meal Scheme and shall oversee quality of meals provided to the children, cleanliness of the place of cooking and maintenance of hygiene in implementation of mid day meal scheme.
(2) The Headmaster or Headmistress of the school shall be empowered to utilise any fund available in school for the purpose of continuation of Mid Day Meal Scheme in the school in case of temporary unavailability of 4 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(i)] food grains, cooking cost etc. in the school. The utilised fund shall be reimbursed to the school account immediately after receipt of mid day meal funds.
8. Testing of Meals by accredited Laboratories –
(1) Hot cooked meal provided to children shall be evaluated and certified by the Government Food Research Laboratory or any laboratory accredited or recognized by law, so as to ensure that the meal meets with the nutritional standards and quality specified in Schedule II to the Act. The Food and Drugs Administration Department of the State may collect samples to ensure the nutritive value and quality of the meals.
(2) The Department referred to in sub-rule (1) shall collect the samples at least once in a month from randomly selected schools or centralised kitchens and send such samples for examination to the laboratories referred to in sub-rule (1).
9. Food Security Allowance. –
(1) If the Mid-Day Meal is not provided in school on any school day due to nonavailability of food grains, cooking cost, fuel or absence of cook-cum-helper or any other reason, the State Government shall pay food security allowance as defined in clause (c) of rule 2 to every child referred to in rule 3 by 15th of the succeeding month in the manner provided herein below:- (a) Quantity of Food grains as per entitlement of the child; and (b) Cooking cost prevailing in the State.
(2) In case of non-supply of meal by the Centralised Kitchen, the Food Security Allowance shall be realised from the Centralised Kitchen as per sub-rule (1): Provided that in case a child has not taken food on offer for whatever reasons, no claim of food security allowance shall lie with the State Government or Centralised Kitchens: Provided further that no claim shall lie with State Government or Centralised Kitchen for reasons of quality of food grains and meal:
(3) The State Government shall take action to fix responsibility on the person or agency in accordance with the procedure laid down, if mid day meal is not provided in school on school days continuously for three days or at least for five days in a month. (4) Wherever an agency of Central Government is involved, the State Government shall take up the matter with Central Government which shall resolve the matter within a month.
10. Saving. - Nothing in these rules shall affect the guidelines issued in this behalf or likely to be issued by the Central Government regarding the activities relating to Mid Day Meal Scheme.

[F. No. 1-6/2009-Desk(MDM)]
GAYA PRASAD, Director

(Mid Day Meal)

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

At last! CPF optees may switch over to GPF whether Retired or inservice (except Death cases)

GOVERNMENT OF WEST BENGAL
School Education Department, Law Branch
Bikash Bhawan, Salt Lake City, Kolkata-700091
No. 749-SE(L)/SL/5S-56/13(Pt-V)                                                                   Kolkata, the 13th June, 2014.
NOTIFICATION
1. Whereas by a judgment and order dated 16.07.2013 the Hon’ble Special Bench of the Hon’ble High Court at Calcutta was pleased to dispose of APO No. 94 of 2009 (State of West Bengal & Ors. Vs. Abhijit Baidya & Ors.) (which was heard alongwith other analogous matters) with the following directions-
“(76) We direct the State Government to give opportunity to all the petitioners and other employees similarly situated to submit option to switch-over to Pension-cum-Gratuity by issuing public notice in at least four newspapers having wide circulation in this State. Three months’ time period be given to them to exercise option and let the amount be specified to each and every employee who elects to switch over to Pension-cum-Gratuity to deposit the amount of employer’s share of contribution with interest and additional interest which is required to be refunded to the Government within the period specified.
(77) If an employee exercises option, he shall be entitled to Pension-cum-Gratuity in accordance with law with effect from the date refund is made.”
2. And Whereas the Special Leave Petition being SLP(C) No. 682 of 2014 filed by the State Government challenging the judgment and order dated July 16, 2013 passed by the Hon’ble Special Bench has been dismissed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India on 24.02.2014.
3. Now Therefore, the Governor is pleased to issue public notice with the following terms and conditions:-
(i) Three months time period shall be given to the teaching and non-teaching staff of recognized non-government aided educational institutions whether in service or retired, (hereinafter referred to as the “said employees”) to switch over to Pension-cum-Gratuity Scheme under the West Bengal Recognized Non-Government Educational Institutions (Death-cum-Retirement Benefit) Scheme, 1981.
(ii) The said employees shall exercise their options in the prescribed form and submit the same to the Headmaster/ Headmistress/ Teacher-in-Charge/ in case of Secondary Schools (hereinafter referred to as the said Head of the Institution), to the Sub-Inspector of Schools in case of Primary Schools, as the case may be, within 3 months from the first date of publication of the said public notice in newspapers. In case of schools already abolished or derecognized, the option shall be submitted to District Inspector of Schools/Additional District Inspector of Schools/Assistant Inspector of Schools in charge of the Sub-Division, as the case may be. However, in case of amalgamated schools, the said employees shall submit option to the said Head of the Institution of the school with which the erstwhile school has been amalgamated or to the said Head of the Institution to which he was shifted. The said Head of the Institution shall submit his option to the Secretary or Administrator or DDO of the school (hereinafter referred to as the Secretary). The received copy of the said option is to be submitted to the District Inspector of Schools/ Additional District Inspector of Schools/Assistant Inspector of Schools in charge of the Sub-Division within 15 days from the date of exercise of such option.
(iii) The said Head of the Institution/ Sub-Inspector of Schools/ Secretary, as the case may be, on receipt of option shall accept and countersign the same with full signature, Designation and date with seal of the office. In case of schools already abolished or derecognized, the concerned District Inspector of Schools/ Additional District Inspector of Schools/ Assistant Inspector of Schools in charge of the Sub-Division shall discharge the function of the said Head of the Institution as specified in clause 3 (ii) above.
(iv) Thereafter, the said Head of the Institution/ Sub-Inspector of Schools/ Secretary, as the case may be, shall prepare and submit Statement in duplicate showing the amount of Employer’s Share of Contributory Provident Fund (hereinafter referred to as “CPF”) with simple interest @ 8.7% and additional interest @ 3.3% (to be calculated from the date of receipt of CPF by such employee) up to the date of exercise of the said option, within 15 days from the date of receipt of the option from the employees to the office of the concerned District Inspector of Schools/ Additional District Inspector of Schools/ Assistant Inspector of Schools in charge of the Sub-Division/ District Primary School Council as the case may be. One copy of original Statement shall be kept In the school/ office of the Sub-Inspector of Schools.
(v) The office of the concerned District Inspector of Schools/ Additional District Inspector of Schools/ Assistant Inspector of Schools in charge of the Sub-Division/ District Primary School Council as the case may be, shall verify the original Statements showing the amount of Employer’s Share of CPF with interest and additional interest up to the date of exercise of the said option within 15 days from the date of receipt of the same from Head of the Institution/ Sub-Inspector of Schools/ Secretary as the case may be, and return the original Statement verified and duly checked to the said employees through Head of the Institution/Sub-Inspector of Schools/ Secretary within 15 days from the date of such communication.
(vi) Thereafter the said employees shall have to deposit the said specified amount of employer’s share of CPF with interest and additional interest to the Government Treasury by way of Treasury Challan through the concerned District Inspector of Schools/ Additional District Inspector of Schools/ Assistant Inspector of Schools in charge of the Sub-Division/ Sub-Inspector of Schools as, the case may be, within 7 days from the date of receipt of verified Statement.
(vii) Those who have already deposited their Employer’s share of CPF without verification of the competent authority of the School Education Department, are also required to prepare and submit Statement in duplicate through the said Head of the Institution/ Sub-Inspector of Schools/ Secretary as the case may be, showing the amount of Employer’s Share of CPF with interest and additional interest to the District Inspector of Schools/ Additional District Inspector of Schools/ Assistant Inspector of Schools in charge of the Sub-Division/ District Primary School Council for verification and will be required to further refund additional amount of Employer’s share of CPF or interest with additional interest or both outstanding Employer’s share of CPF and interest with additional interest, as the case may be,if required.
(viii) Thereafter the employees who have already retired from service on superannuation or whose tenure of service remains less than 15 months shall submit pension papers with original Challan for refund of employer’s share of CPF to the office of the District Inspector of Schools within 8 days and further processing of their pension cases will be done as per provisions of G.O. No. 88-SE(B) dated 26.05.1998.
(ix) Thereafter the District Inspector of Schools, within 15 days, shall send the pension papers to the office of the Director of Pension Provident Fund and Group Insurance, West Bengal after getting those verified by the concerned Deputy Director of Accounts/Joint Director of Accounts or Controller of Finance, as the case may be.
(x) The Director of Pension Provident Fund and Group Insurance, West Bengal shall issue Pension Payment Orders in respect of those who have already retired. The said employees shall be entitled to pension in accordance with law with effect from the date refund is made as per direction of the Hon’ble High Court.
(xi) Employer’s share of CPF shall be discontinued from the month following the month of option exercised to the effect of this notification in those cases where employees are still in service on the date of exercise of option.
(xii) The Commissioner of School Education and the Director of Pension Provident Fund and Group Insurance, West Bengal shall monitor the entire exercise for compliance of the order of the Hon’ble High Court at Calcutta and shall submit regular progress report to the Finance Department and the School Education Department.
(xiii) As per provisions as laid down under para 3 of the West Bengal Recognized Non-Government Educational Institutions (Death-cum-Retirement Benefit) Scheme, 1981, the employees of the D.A getting schools whether retired or in service shall not come under this Notification.
(xiv) This issues with the concurrence of the Finance Department under their U.O. No. 569 Group-P (Pay) Dated 08.05.2014.
By order of the Governor,
Sd/- ARNAB ROY
Secy. to the Govt. of West Bengal.

Friday, June 13, 2014

Extension of Holiday due to Hot Wave

Holidays for students have been extended by the Govt. But no leave for Teachers &Office Staffs


To see Order Click Here

Friday, April 11, 2014

GENERAL TRANSFER - INFORMATION THAT ARE REQUIRED BEFORE ONLINE APPLICATION

I have been approached by some of my acquaintances to upload the information that are required for filling up the form in online application for general transfer. On their request I do hereby provide the points:
(Please do not call me further!)

[IF DATE OF SUBMISSION IS 15-04-2014 THEN  DD MUST BE PURCHASED AFTER 15-02-2014]


Here are  the Points:

After entering your application id & DD no. PRELIMINARY STEP will appear:

ENTER BASIC DETAILS:
Region attached to the PRESENT POST:
SUBJECT PRESENT POST:   (SUBJECT CODE will appear automatically)
CANDIDATE OWN CATEGORY:
DATE OF BIRTH
PRESENT POST CATEGORY
CANDIDATE OWN CATEGORY
MEDIUM OF INSTRUCTION IN THE CURRENT SCHOOL

OTHER PERSONAL DETAILS:
NAME OF FATHER/MOTHER:
SCALE OF PAY
BASIC PAY ON THE DATE OF APPLICATION
DATE OF RETIREMENT ON SUPERANNUATION
 ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS AS CONSIDERED BY RSSC

COMMUNICATION DETAILS:
C/O
VILLAGE/STREET
ETC...


PRESENT SCHOOL DETAILS:

SCHOOL NAME (PRESENTLY EMPLOYED)
TYPE OF SCHOOL: COED/BOYS/GIRLS
STATUS OF SCHOOL: JR HIGH/ HIGH/HS
 ADDRESS OF SCHOOL

PINCODE PHONE NUMBER 
WORKING SHIFT (MORNING /MIDDAY) ; ( PERMANENT... does not mean temporary arrangement)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OF THE APPLICANT
 IF RECOMMENDED BY SSC THEN MEMO OF SSC ( Like 1147/Recom(AT)/10th RLST ... etc dated ........)

REASON IN BRIEF: ( NEARER TO HOME / FAMILIAL PROBLEM / ETC...)

DATE OF FIRST JOINING:
DATE OF JOINING IN THE PRESENT SCHOOL
NO. OF CHILDREN< 10 YRS :
(COPY OF DATE OF BIRTH CERTIFICATE TO BE ATTACHED WITH THE FORM-A & B WHICH WILL SUBMITTED THROUGH SCHOOL)

PH?
(COPY OF PH CERTIFICATE TO BE ATTACHED WITH THE FORM-A & B WHICH WILL SUBMITTED THROUGH SCHOOL)


PREFERENCE OF SCHOOL
<SELECT> 5 AS PER PREFERENCE...


ENTER CODE

CLICK SUBMIT