[Noon-Meal Scheme] No Higher Priority Than This: Kerala HC Directs State To Disburse Funds To Govt Schools For Noon-Meals Given To Students

The Kerala High Court was informed by the Special Government Pleader that the noon meal cooking cost for the month of January 2024 under the Noon-Meal scheme will be made available by the 24th of February, 2024 and the amount will be disbursed after the petitioners, the Kerala Pradesh School Teachers' Association and the Headmasters of certain government and aided schools provided the required data.

The development comes in a plea alleging untimely and inadequate disbursal of funds under the Noon-Meal scheme.

“There can be no higher priority than this” observed Justice Mohamed Nias orally.

The Scheme was introduced by the Government for students up to Grade VIII in Government and Government Aided Schools in the State.

The Scheme runs on the funds allocated by the Centre and the State. The Centre pays its contribution to the State in two instalments every year. As per news reports, the State alleged that the Centre had delayed its disbursal for the first instalment, as a result of which the funds for the Scheme had depleted.

The petitioners alleged that the funds allotted under the scheme were not sufficient to meet even 50% of the actual cost and that the Headmasters often had to meet the expenses for the scheme from their salaries, and borrowed funds. It was also submitted that even the allocated funds were often not disbursed on time.

The plea seeks the issuance of a direction to the Director of General Education absolving the Head Masters from the responsibility of running the Scheme, and to entrust the same with an independent agency. The petitioners seek the issuance of a direction that the Head Masters shall not be bound to implement the Scheme unless the expenses for implementing the same are paid to them every month in advance.

The court also emphasised the importance of the mid-day meal scheme and directed the matter to be resolved on priority.  

The matter has been posted for hearing on 26th February 2024.

The plea has been moved through Advocates Tony George Kannanthanam, Thomas George, and Alex George.

Case Title: Kerala Pradesh School Teachers' Association & Ors. v. State of Kerala & Anr.

Case Number: W.P.(C) 29565/ 2023

Click here to read/download the order