Kolkata, 07 August (H.S.) : The West Bengal government has decided to conduct surprise inspections in government schools across the state following allegations that the number of beneficiaries under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme has been artificially inflated.

Acting on directions from the state secretariat at Nabanna, district administrations have been instructed to verify whether the actual number of students in schools matches the enrolment figures uploaded on the Mid-Day Meal portal.

According to government sources, if a school is found to have reported a higher number of beneficiaries than the actual student strength, the school management, principal or headmaster will first be served a show-cause notice. If the explanation is found to be unsatisfactory, disciplinary action will be initiated in accordance with the law.

Officials said complaints had been received over an extended period alleging that some government schools were overstating student enrolment on the Mid-Day Meal portal to claim additional benefits. Preliminary inquiries have reportedly uncovered such irregularities in certain schools, prompting administrative action.

A major discrepancy was recently detected at a government school in the Patashpur-I block of Purba Medinipur district, where the number of students recorded on the Mid-Day Meal portal was allegedly nearly ten times higher than the actual enrolment. Following a complaint, the Block Development Officer conducted a surprise inspection, after which a show-cause notice was issued to the headmaster and departmental proceedings were initiated.

The issue had also attracted attention in 2022, when a Joint Review Mission of the Union Ministry of Education alleged that beneficiary figures under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme in West Bengal had been overstated between April and September 2022, raising concerns over possible financial irregularities exceeding ₹100 crore.

The scheme has also faced criticism in the past over the quality of meals served, with reports from some government schools alleging that students were provided only rice and salt.

According to official sources, the state government's objective is to eliminate all irregularities in the implementation of the Mid-Day Meal Scheme and ensure strict action against those found responsible.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh