New Delhi, March 16 The BJP and AAP engaged in a verbal exchange in the MCD regarding the extension of contracts for NGOs supplying midday meals to students in civic schools.
This exchange came days after the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) announced that it was considering blacklisting six NGOs due to unhygienic kitchen conditions, as reported by
Reacting to the extension order, AAP's Leader of Opposition in the MCD, Ankush Narang, stated that the BJP had previously pointed out deficiencies in several kitchens during inspections, but had now extended the contracts of the same organizations.
"On one hand, BJP leaders in the MCD's education department have been inspecting kitchens and pointing out shortcomings in the food served to children. On the other hand, they are granting extensions to the same institutions where serious deficiencies were found," Narang said.
Responding to these remarks, MCD Education Committee Chairman Yogesh Sharma stated that the extensions were temporary and accused the opposition of making "baseless" allegations.
"After coming to power, the BJP conducted inspections of midday meal kitchens. Wherever we found shortcomings, notices were issued and fines were imposed. The extension we have given is only until March 31, and within the next month, our children will receive midday meals through new NGOs," Sharma said.
According to the order cited by Narang, 18 NGOs have been allowed to continue supplying meals to students of municipal and aided schools under the PM-POSHAN Scheme, which provides hot cooked meals to children studying in MCD schools.