Date:04/07/2009 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2009/07/04/stories/2009070452070300.htm

Karnataka - Hubli-Dharwad

‘Foundation implementing meal scheme in transparent manner’

Staff Correspondent

It is mobilising funds through donations: Das

HUBLI: The Akshaya Patra Foundation of ISKCON has said that the midday meal scheme is being implemented with assistance from the Government in a transparent manner.

In a press release issued here on Friday, vice-chairman of the foundation Chanchalapathi Das said that in the wake of “misinformation” in this regard, the foundation had sought an inquiry. A three-member committee set up by the Education Department had given a clean chit to the foundation, he added.

His statement comes in the wake of Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee working president D.K. Shivakumar’s allegation of misappropriation in the implementation of the midday meal scheme by the foundation.

Mr. Shivakumar had stated that the foundation was raising funds through donations from foreign countries for the scheme, projecting that the Government was going nothing for underprivileged children. The vice-chairman said that in Karnataka where the foundation fed about 5 lakh children, the daily expense, excluding the Government’s support, was Rs. 10 lakh a day.

All over the country, the foundation fed 10 lakh children which meant the foundation had to mobilise Rs. 20 lakh a day for the purpose.

The foundation mobilised funds for the purpose through donations from individuals and corporate donors and to ensure transparency and accountability, accounts were audited, he said.