The HRD ministry will soon monitor the midday meal scheme through SMS updates from the principals of 11.92 lakh schools across India. The model is based on the one already in use in Uttar Pradesh. School headmasters will be asked for daily updates through the SMSes.

Under the programme around 10.46 crore children are fed in government, government-aided schools and at alternative innovative education centres, including madrasas. For this Rs 48,000 crore was allocated during the 11th five year plan. Out of this Rs 38,000 crore has been spent and Rs 10,380 crore has been allocated during the current year.

“We will start the pilot programme across all states by April and it will be fully functional by June,” Amarjit Singh, joint secretary in the ministry, said.

The SMSes will be sent from the newly-launched website www.mdm.nic.in. The site provides detailed information on the programme through which it can be monitored and evaluated. It also has information like programme approval for various states and financial progress under the scheme. It also brings out innovative practices adopted by the various states.

HRD minister Kapil Sibal said the data will be available on the website but to ensure that it is authentic, a legal mechanism should be there. He said, “There should be accountability so that people can be dealt with. But it has to be done by the state government.”