According to government data disclosed in the Lok Sabha on November 25, Uttar Pradesh records the highest number of corruption cases involved in the Midday Meal scheme. Out of the 52 complaints filed in the last three years, 14 complaints come from UP with Bihar inching closer with 11 complaints. In the 52 complaints, 47 of them are under inquiry and are being investigated, and three are yet to be proved under the scheme.
Uttar Pradesh And Bihar Most Vulnerable
The data was given as a response by HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ to BJP MP Dr. Bharti Pravin Pawar’s question. “A total of 52 complaints were reported regarding corruption in the implementation of the midday meal scheme across the country during the last three years,” Pokhriyal was reported as saying by News 18.
The data also has state-wise details about the complaints filed in this regard. Uttar Pradesh tops the list of such complaints with 14 in the span of three years. There were seven cases in 2017, three in 2018 and four in 2019.
The state governments and the Union Territory administration were requested by the government to provide with an Action Taking Report which include actions such as issuing a warning against the official responsible, terminating the contract of the NGO/organizations involved and imposing penalties against the officials who fail to perform the tasks under this scheme.
Bihar came to a close second with 11 complaints in the same span with two in 2017, seven in 2018 and four in 2019. Maharashtra is third with five complaints. Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Tripura, Chattisgarh, Punjab and Odisha recorded one case of corruption each.
Children Suffering In The Scheme
Around 931 children had fallen sick after eating the midday meal in the last three years. Jharkhand recorded the highest number of casualties with 259 followed by 201 in Maharashtra and 154 in Uttar Pradesh.
The government has now issued guidelines on quality, safety, and hygiene in school kitchens around the states and Union Territories.
“These guidelines inter-alia provide for instructions to schools to procure quality and branded items for the preparation of midday meals, tasting of meals by 2-3 adult members of the School Management Committee including at least one teacher before serving to children and put in place a system for testing of food samples by accredited laboratories,” Pokhriyal said.
Also Read: Mid-Day Meal Scam: 28 Held For Illegally Selling Food Grains Meant For School Children In UP
