3. Inflated costs shown by Akshaya Patra just to raise donations:   

The Akshaya Patra trustees are guilty of overstating and inflating costs  in order to dupe and fleece corporate and individual donors. They are guilty of playing with the sentiments of the people through a planned, deliberate strategy of misrepresentation and false, unsubstantiated claims. While most of the other NGOs (of all sizes) report that their cost per meal is anywhere between Rs 2 to Rs 3, Akshaya Patra claims its costs are Rs 6 per meal (more than double that claimed by other NGOs!)

There appears to be a conspiracy among the trustees to make these exaggerated and unsubstantiated claims so that they can fleece innocent donors in India and abroad, on the strength of a media hype. Moreover, the Akshaya Patra trustees do not clearly acknowledge that they are receiving government payments for the mid day meals being supplied.

The illegal money that the Trustees could collect annually runs into several hundreds of millions.

Editor’s Note: One Major NGO contractor in Bangalore ( Adamya Chetana, Bangalore) carried out a large free medical checkup program and has provided accident relief insurance benefit of over 10,000 school children from the surplus funds generated from the mid-day-meal program during the years 2005 to 2007.

Adamnya Chetana's Experience [Reproduced from Adamya Chetana website]

(Adamya Chetana is one of major NGO in Karnataka):

You can check Adamya Chetana's website : http://www.adamyachetana.org/?page_id=27

"With the assistance of the Government, volunteers, donors, and the corporates, we have been able to reach thousands of school children day after day. As an effective partner in this challenging activity of the Government, we have made this programme exceptional."

Cost Effective:

"When we cook for thousands, every paisa counts. For Adamya Chetana the huge numbers have been converted to students' advantage. Costs have been brought down, thanks to economies of scale. Voluntary participation has further reduced the costs. Annapoorna (Scheme of Adamnya Chetana) has brought down the per meal cost to less than Rs. 2.00 (excluding rice / wheat). The children, therefore, receive a variety of good quality meals. "

Scientific Approach:

"Annapoorna has created a unique processes for preparing and delivering hot midday meals to thousands of children across hundreds of schools.

Maintaining high standards of safety and hygiene every single day.

Getting feedback about quality, quantity, taste and time of delivery from every school are distinctive features which have made Annapoorna a unique brand in the minds of the socially concerned.

This feedback forms the basis of continuous process and product improvement, which is the hallmark of Annapoorna.

We have a quality lab to assist in maintaining quality parameters which are critical"