Table of Contents

Page No

List of Tables i-ii

List of Figures iii
Abbreviations iv-vi

Introduction 1-23
• An Overview of Literature
• Problem of the Study
• Objectives of the Study
• Study Area
• Method of Study
• Organisation of the Thesis

1. Right to Food and Child Rights: Various Approaches 24-77

1.1 Child Right to Food: Historical Context
1.2 Child Right to Food in Post-Independent India
1.3 Child Right to Food and Indian Constitution
1.4 Child Right to Food in India
1.4.1 Legal Approach
1.4.2 Planning and Policy Approach
1.4.3 Right to Development Approach
1.4.4 Welfare Approach
1.4.5 Institutional Approach
1.4.6 Child Rights and the Issue of Poverty
1.4.7 An Approach from Civil Society
1.5 Conclusion

2. MDM Scheme in India: Origin and Implementation 82-123

2.1 Mid-Day Meals Scheme and its Origin in India
2.2 Objectives of MDMS
2.3 Implementing Agencies of MDMS
2.4 Institutional Mechanism for MDMS
2.4.1 The NP-NSPE at the National Level
2.4.2 The NP-NSPE at the State / UTs Level
2.4.3 The NP-NSPE at the District Level
2.4.4 The NP-NSPE at the Village Level
2.4.5 The NP-NSPE at the School Level
2.5 MDMS under the Right to Information Act
 2.6 The Coverage of the MDMS (1995 – 2005)
2.7 Financial Arrangement of MDMS
2.8 Physical Infrastructure for MDMS
2.9 Implementation of the MDMS by State and UTs
2.9.1 The NP-NSPE in North Eastern states
2.9.2 The NP-NSPE at the Union Territory Level
2.10 The Controversy between the Centre vs. the states
2.11 Government’s Assistance and Allocation of Food Grains
2.12 Cost of Cooking for MDMS
2.13 Movement of Food Grains for MDMS
2.13.1 Supply of Food grains from FCI
2.14 Impact of MDMS on Child Education
2.14.1 Improvement of Girl’s Access to Education

3. Mid Day Meal Scheme in Tamil Nadu: Field Experience 124-64

3.1 MDMS in Tamil Nadu
3.2 MDMS: Financial Arrangements
3.3 MDMS: Implementing Mechanisms
3.3.1 MDMS at the State Level
3.3.1.1 Malnutrition Free Tamil Nadu Monitoring Committee
3.3.1.2 Intersectional Coordination and Monitoring Committee for
Malnutrition Free Tamil Nadu
3.3.2 MDMS at District Level
3.3.3 MDMS at Block Level
3.3.4 MDMS at the School Level
3.4 MDMS and its Components of Expenditure
3.5 The Impact of NMP on Nutrition and Education
3.6 Field Survey in Kancheepuram: An Analysis
3.7 Main Findings from the field
3.8 Perceptions of Varied Respondents on MDMS
3.8.1 Children’s Response
3.8.2 Parents Response
3.8.3 Teachers Response
3.8.4 Cooks Response
3.9 Perception of MDM as A Right
3.10 Summing up

4. Mid Day Meal Scheme in Orissa: Field Experience 165-208

4.1 Nutrition Intervention Programme in Orissa
4.1.1 Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
4.1.2 Supplementary Nutrition Program
4.1.3 Emergency Feeding under ICDS
4.1.4 National Nutrition Mission
 4.2 Mid-Day Meals Scheme in Orissa
4.3 Institutional Arrangement for MDMS
4.3.1 MDMS at the State Level
4.3.2 MDMS at the District Level
4.3.3 MDMS at the Block Level
4.3.4 MDMS at the School Level
4.4 Functioning of Mid-Day Meals in Orissa
4.5 MDMS and Private Participation
4.6 Field survey in Bhadrak District: Analysis
4.7 Main Findings from the Field
4.8 Perceptions of Varied Respondents on MDMS
4.8.1 Children’s Response
4.8.2 Parents Response
4.8.3 Teacher’s Response
4.8.4 Cook’s Response
4.9 Perception of MDM as a Right
4.10 Summing Up

5. MDMS in Tamil Nadu and Orissa: A Comparative Analysis 209-34

5.1 MDM as a Right: A Changing Perception
5.2 ENTAP and MDMS in Tamil Nadu and Orissa
5.3 Bearing the MDMS Responsibility
5.4 Monitoring and Evaluation of MDMS
5.5 Access and Coverage of MDMS
5.6 Involvement of Political Parties
5.7 Involvement of Civil Society

Summary and Conclusion 234-42

• Political Commitment
• Democracy and Public Action

Annexure – 1: Questionnaire 243-58

• Survey Questionnaire for Children
• Survey Questionnaire for Parents
• Survey Questionnaire for Teachers
• Survey Questionnaire for Cooks / Helpers

Annexure – 2: Field Photographs 259-62

• Selected Field Photographs

Bibliography 263-75