Mid-day meal project in Malda under scanner

Statesman News Service

MALDA, Sept. 9: Mid-day meal project for the development of primary education is a complete failure in Malda district. Series of incidents proved that the project was not being executed properly due to malpractice of distributors, school teachers and finally lack of administrative monitoring. Today, villagers intercepted a rickshaw van loaded with 7.5 quintal rice meant for mid-day meal, which was allegedly transported to open market for selling, at Makhna village under Harishchandrapur police station. Acting on a tip off villagers raised alarm and informed the matter to the administration and police with the help of the media persons. Police found that the rice meant for mid-day meal was being transported from the house of Mr Sukul Singh, headmaster of Kulipara Parimary School. Villagers alleged that the ‘fine’ rice was transported to the market for sale in exchange of ‘rotten’ rice which would be cooked and served for children in the schools to show mid day meal programme officially. The sub divisional officer in Chanchal in northern part of this district Mr Debashis Sarkar said police recovered the rice from the spot after primary investigation. “I have asked the block development officer to start inquiry into the matter so that steps would be taken against culprits”, Mr Sarkar said. “The block official informed me that the rice was stored in the house of the head master of Kulipara Primary School and it was being transported somewhere else," the SDO said. “We need to find out why rice meant for mid-day meal was stored in the house of the headmaster and why did he send the rice from his house today. If the headmaster found guilty, necessary steps would be taken after completion of inquiry”, Mr. Sarkar said. In another development, the district administrative officials have finally decided to lodge an FIR against a distributor in Manikchak on the charges of malpractice for handling rice meant for mid-day meal for primary schools. A total of 3311.99 quintal of rice meant for mid day meal was stored in the godown of that distributor where the samples of rice collected from the FCI and the one delivered to the distributor in Maickchak did not match with the stock of rice in his godown, district administrative officials said. The Directorate of Inspection (Quality Control), Food and Supplies has recently reported to the district administration that rice meant of mid-day meal was stored in the godown of that distributor in Manikchak not collected from the Food Corporation of India. The mid day meal project was suspended for a long period as rice meant for mid day meal was not for human consumption in Manikchak block.