PM Poshan: Education ministry claims Kerala failed to transfer mid-day meal funds causing delays

NEW DELHI: A day after Kerala education minister V Sivankutty blamed the central government for the mid-day meal crisis in the state, the ministry of education has clarified that the state has not yet transferred central share of committed liabilities for further release of funds.

“With reference to the news items concerning the transfer of PM Poshan funds to the state of Kerala, it is informed that the Government of India (GoI) has transferred Rs 132.90 crores to the Kerala Government to fulfill its committed liabilities,” the ministry said.

“The state was expected to transfer the same amount from its treasury to the State Nodal Account (SNA), along with a matching state share of Rs 76.78 crores. However, Kerala has not completed this transfer, rendering itself ineligible for any further release,” it said in a post on X. Several schools in the state are in debt as they owe money to the shops that bought groceries for the PM Poshan scheme.

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The Kerala government was notified in an email dated August 8, 2023, that the central share of committed liabilities has not been transferred. The ministry claimed that the matter was also discussed in-person.

Integrated Finance Division, ministry of education, while considering the proposal of release of first installment observed that during the financial year (FY) 2022-23, central assistance of Rs 41,643.83 lakh, including committed liabilities of 2021-22 of Rs 13,290.14 lakh was released to Kerala.

“The proportionate State share against Central Share of for FY 2022-23 amounting Rs 41,643.83 lakh is Rs 24,385.14 lakh (Rs. 7678.43 lakh for committed liabilities).”

Besides non-transfer of interest amount to SNA account, there is shortfall of Rs 13,000 in central share transfer to SNA account in respect of amount released as 2nd installment, it observed.

As per mandatory SNA guidelines issued by the finance ministry, “Any amount of Central assistance released to the State Government needs to be transferred to the SNA account first and outside SNA expenditure is not permitted.”

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Additionally, “the expenditure statement 2021-22 shows negative of Rs 89,58.23 lakh against central share of committed liabilities of Rs 13,290.14 lakh; which is also not transferred by the state government,” the mail sent by Sumit Kumar Batra, section officer (PM POSHAN 2-1), education ministry, read.

The ministry further extended the deadline for the state government to transfer the pending amount by August 31 as an amount of Rs 20.19 lakh central share of interest is yet to be deposited.

“In view of the above, it is requested for compliance of the above observations, to enable this Department to further consider the proposal of first instalment for the FY 2023-24 under PM POSHAN Scheme,” the email shared by the ministry read.