Rajasthan cracks down over midday meal 'theft'; 5 teachers suspended for selling milk powder to sweet manufacturers

JAIPUR: The Rajasthan primary education department suspended Sunday five govt schoolteachers for allegedly selling milk powder intended for mid-day meals to sweet manufacturers for Rs 160-200 a kilo.

The department's Jaipur office has set up a three-member high-level committee under the directorate of school education to investigate the alleged offence. It is expected to submit a detailed report within four days. Officials, meanwhile, have not disclosed the total quantity of milk powder sold. Under this scheme - which aims to improve the health and academic performance of children by providing them with essential nutrients during school hours - students (pre-primary to class 8) receive hot milk prepared from skimmed milk powder to enhance their nutritional levels. "Milk and food stock in all schools will be checked this week to prevent any misuse. We will work to develop a system where food packets distributed to schools can be tracked," a senior directorate official said. To prevent misuse of mid-day meals and other nutritional food items, the education department has directed all district and block education officers to submit verified action reports within three days. Additionally, all panchayat elementary education officers and urban cluster elementary education officers have been instructed to conduct thorough inspections of two schools in their respective areas and submit reports.

Officials will check the food stock in over 22,000 schools and submit reports within the week.