State Minister for Primary and Mass Education Bobby Hajjaj on Sunday said the government is business-friendly but will not tolerate irregularities in the implementation of the primary school feeding programme.
He said there is no scope to stockpile food supplied for students under the government primary school feeding programme, stressing that the food allocated for each day must be delivered to students on the same day.
The state minister made the remarks at a views-exchange meeting on the implementation of the government primary school feeding programme held at the Primary Training Institute (PTI) in Mirpur, Dhaka.
“If quality and nutritious food cannot be ensured for students under the school feeding programme, the government will not continue business relations with the supplier institutions concerned,” Bobby said.
“We want the food to properly reach the children. If those responsible fail to act responsibly, neither their jobs nor businesses will remain secure in future,” he added.
He also warned that strict action would be taken against any supplier found involved in irregularities in food quality, supply or distribution.
“The basic condition of business is to meet demand properly. And the main objective of this project is to deliver nutritious food to children,” he said.
The state minister said the school feeding programme is currently operating in 151 upazilas and the project, worth nearly Tk 5,500 crore, is equivalent to around one percent of the national budget.
“If food cannot be delivered properly after taking responsibility for a Tk 5,500 crore project, it will amount to injustice to people,” he said.
He said all suppliers must submit a complete map of their supply chain within the next seven days, clearly mentioning from which factories products are sourced and where they are being distributed.
The state minister also directed supplier institutions to appoint qualified food technicians to ensure food quality.
Primary and Mass Education Secretary Md Sakhawat Hossain, Director General of the Directorate of Primary Education Shahina Ferdousi, Project Director of the Mid-Day Meal programme and other officials were present at the programme.