(1) If the Mid-Day Meal is not provided in school on any school day due to nonavailability of food grains, cooking cost, fuel or absence of cook-cum-helper or any other reason, the State Government shall pay food security allowance as defined in clause (c) of rule 2 to every child referred to in rule 3 by 15th of the succeeding month in the manner provided herein below:-
(a) Quantity of Food grains as per entitlement of the child; and
(b) Cooking cost prevailing in the State.
(2) In case of non-supply of meal by the Centralised Kitchen, the Food Security Allowance shall be realised from the Centralised Kitchen as per sub-rule (1):
Provided that in case a child has not taken food on offer for whatever reasons, no claim of food security allowance shall lie with the State Government or Centralised Kitchens:
Provided further that no claim shall lie with State Government or Centralised Kitchen for reasons of quality of food grains and meal:
(3) The State Government shall take action to fix responsibility on the person or agency in accordance with the procedure laid down, if mid day meal is not provided in school on school days continuously for three days or at least for five days in a month.
(4) Wherever an agency of Central Government is involved, the State Government shall take up the matter with Central Government which shall resolve the matter within a month.