One of the basic objectives of the MDM scheme is to increase enrolment of students. Figure 1 shows the combined enrolment in primary and upper primary classes in schools that provide MDM.

• In contrast to the scheme’s objectives, enrolment declined between 2017-18 and 2020-21 in both the state and Saharsa district.
• However, the rate of decline in enrolment in Saharsa district was less than 1% compared to 12% at the state level.
• At the state level, the decline in enrolment is more at the primary level (14%) then the upper primary level (8%).
• At the district level, enrolment increased by 3.5% at the upper primary level, but fell 2.5% at the primary level.
• While some of the decline in 2020-21 was on account of Covid-19, the trend shows the decline began even before the pandemic.

Figure 1: Enrolment in schools providing MDM

Each year, a Project Approval Board (PAB) estimates and approves the number of students who are likely to avail of the MDM scheme in institutions that serve these meals. Generally, of the enrolled students, some do not opt for MDM for various reasons. Figure 2 shows the relationship between enrolment in schools that provide MDM, the number of students approved for MDM by the PAB, and the number of students who availed of the MDM scheme.

• The relationship between the three parameters varies over time and there is no consistent trend.
• On average, 58% of enrolment was approved for MDM at the district level, while the approval rate was 65% at the state level.
• In the last two years, the number of students availing the meal was higher than the number of students approved.

Figure 2: Number of students Enrolled, Approved and Availing of MDM

Figure 3 shows how many of the students approved for MDM actually availed of the meal.

• A similar trend is seen at both the district and state levels.
• In the last two years of the study period, a far greater number of students availed of MDM compared to those approved, especially at the state level, indicating a need for better projection of students.
• The number of students availing MDM being more than the number approved in 2020-21 might be due to the fact that in the wake of school closures induced by Covid-19, benefits were provided in Direct Benefit Transfer mode.

Figure 3: Number of students availing meals as a percentage of approvals

Under the scheme, there are several components for which funds are made available and spent. These are:

• Foodgrain cost, which is paid to the Food Corporation of India (FCI)
• Cooking cost, which includes expenditure on all items used to prepare meals, except foodgrains
• Honorarium to cooks-cum-helpers (CCH)
• Transportation cost of foodgrains
• Expenses on management, monitoring and evaluation (MME)
• Construction of kitchens
• Procurement and replacement of kitchen equipment

Of these, the first four are regular expenses, while the last two are occasional and more need-based. Data on MME is available at the state level, not at the district level. For these reasons, only the first four components have been analysed in this factsheet. In all subsequent analyses, total funds available and total expenditure refers to the sum of these four components.

• Availability of funds increased 29% from 2017-18 to 2020-21.
• Similarly, total expenditure increased 43% from 2017-18 to 2020-21.
• The total unspent balance continuously decreased from 2017-18 to 2020-21.

Figure 4: Funds Available and Expenditure at the District Level (Rs lakh)

Figure 5 shows the share of funds available for each of the four components.

• The largest share of expenditure went towards meeting cooking costs—80.6% of the amount spent over the four years.
• The smallest share of funds available was for transport—2% over these four years combined.
• The share of cooking cost rose continuously over the four-year period studied. This was mainly because, in absolute terms, funding available to other three components remained at similar levels.

Figure 5: Component-wise expenditure (%)

Figure 6 shows a comparison between the district and the state for per capita funding availability and expenditure. Per student expenditure has been calculated as total expenditure (on foodgrains + cooking + honorarium to cook-cum-helpers (HCC) + transportation) divided by the number of students who availed of MDM. Per student funding availability has been calculated as the total available funds divided by the number of students approved for MDM.

• Per-student expenditure increased continuously, and was higher in Saharsa than in the state.
• Similarly, per student funding availability was higher for the state compared to the district up to 2018-19, before reversing thereafter.

Figure 6: Per capita availability of funds and expenditure for Saharsa district and Bihar (Rs)

Foodgrains for cooking (rice in the case of Saharsa) comes from the Food Corporation of India (FCI), which is reimbursed the cost of the foodgrains. Figure 7 shows the bills raised by FCI and the amount paid, and the utilisation level of foodgrains.

• Funding availability and expenditure on FCI purchases fluctuated between 2017-18 and 2020-21.
• While the availability of funds is always greater than expenditure, unspent balance decreased by 21% from 2017-18 to 2020-21.
• Utilisation of foodgrains shows an uneven trend, and is unsatisfactory, during the study period at both the state and district levels. It decreased continuously from 2017-18 to 2019-20, but accelerated suddenly in 2020-21 by 67% at the state level and 76% at the district level.

Figure 7: Payment of food grain cost to FCI and utilisation

Figure 8 shows the allocation and expenditure for cooking in absolute terms, and the utilisation rate for the district compared to the state.

• Fund availability and expenditure on cooking increased continuously from 2017-18 to 2020-21, at 37% and 54%, respectively. Consequently, the unspent balance decreased.
• Utilisation of funds increased continuously from 2017-18 to 2020-21 at both the state and district levels.
• In 2020-21, total unspent funds amounted to 11% at the district level and 8% at the state level.

Figure 8: Utilisation of Cooking Cost Outlay

According to the norm, one CCH is required in a school with up to 25 students, two CCHs for a school between 26 and 100 students, and one CCH for every additional 100 students. For 10 months, a CCH will receive an honoraria of Rs 1,000 each month. Figure 9 shows expenditure and availability of funds towards honoraria to CCH and their utilisation at the state and district levels.

• Funds available were almost the same each year (Rs 416.7 lakh) and a tad lower (Rs 415.3 lakh) in 2020-21.
• However, expenditure fluctuated between 2017-18 and 2020-21, with the lowest being Rs 339.9 lakh.
• Utilisation of funds towards honoraria for CCH has fluctuated. It was higher (87%) in 2019-20 at both the district and state levels.

Figure 9: Utilisation of funds for honoraria to cooks-cum-Helpers

According to the norm, transport assistance (TA) is given based on the Public Distribution System rate prevalent in states and union territories for delivery of foodgrains from the nearest FCI godown to the school. In April 2019, the central government changed the TA standards to bring them on par with PDS rates, up to a maximum of Rs 150 per quintal. Figure 10 shows expenditure and availability of funds for transportation and their utilisation at the state and district levels.

• Fund availability and expenditure on TA fluctuated between 2017-18 and 2020-21.
• Funds available for transportation increased 32% from 2017-18 to 2018-19 and decreased 20% from 2018-19 to 2020-21.
• In contrast, expenditure on transportation decreased 47% from 2017-18 to 2018-19, and increased by an abnormal 83% from 2018-19 to 2020-21.
• This could indicate a higher demand for TA in the coming years.
• Utilisation of transportation funds is more volatile in Saharsa district. It fell from 96% in 2017-18 to 39% in 2018-19, and then rose sharply to 85% in 2019-20.
• In 2019-20, utilisation of transportation funds in Saharsa district improved, and was at the same level (85%) as the state. In 2020-21, only 11% of transportation funds remained unspent at the state level and 14% at the district level.

Figure 10: Utilisation of funds for transportation assistance

Given the importance of MDM scheme in providing nutrition, and helping increase enrolment and hence education of students, data/information about the scheme should be readily available and accessible to the common masses. Figure 9 lists essential data points/information regarding MDM that will be useful to various stakeholders. The current level of information available has been evaluated for these indicators.

The data points /information regarding MDM have/has been taken from the Annual Work Plan and Budget Meeting Documents (AWB&PM) for the years from 2017-18 to 2020-21. These documents were accessed at https://pmposhan.education.gov.in/.

Transparency and Accountability Parameters

Availability of Information and Comprehensiveness

 Information on funds available

• Yes

 Information on funds utilized

• Yes

 Information on number of students enrolled

• Yes

 Information on number of students availing MDM

• Yes

 Information on number of meals served

• Yes

 Gender-wise disaggregation of beneficiary data

• No

 Caste-wise disaggregation of beneficiary data

• Yes

 Geographical Granularity of the fiscal indicator

• District-wise

 Information on number of schools

• Yes

Accessibility

 Language in which information is available

• English

 Compatibility on devices

• Phone, tablet, laptop friendly

Timeliness

 How frequently are data updated?

• Real-Time

Relevance

 How relevant would users find it

• The data available in the MDM website can be used by researchers, scholars and policy makers. While the information on the website is vast, further disaggregation of data based on gender can help understand the ways MDM affects education and the nutritional status of girl children.

Reliability

 Are the data reliable?

• CAG audit reports are not available on the MDM website, hence authenticating the data with MIS and ground verification is essential.

Accountability and Citizen’s Participation

 Social Audit schedules

• Social auditing is mandated for all districts.
• While the account for the number of schools covered, organisations/institutions conducting the audit and expenditure is available, the reports on the website are not up to date for all the states and years.

 Availability of information on Grievance Redressal Mechanism for beneficiaries

• Contact details to lodge complaints are listed on the website for every state.
• Details on the number of complaints, status of complaints and action taken are also available.
• States follow different mechanisms for grievance redressal.