76% schools use low-quality grain for mid-day meal,says CAG

The data relating to attendance and retention of children was also not collected.

“Inspection of the foodgrain used revealed that broken grains in excess of permissible limit,foreign matter and damaged grains were used in 243 schools of the 320 inspected,” read the report. “Improvement in the nutritional status of the children was not ensured by providing micro-nutrient supplements and de-worming medicines. No periodical health check-up of the children was conducted either.”

According to the report,foodgrain worth Rs 121.98 crore remained with the transporting agencies (2002-2007) and fair price shops (2005-2007),which indicated poor transportation of the grains.

The report also indicated misuse of funds and financial irregularities.

“Deficient scrutiny of transportation claims of the transporting agencies for 2002-2007 by the finance controller and the Basic Shiksha Parishad resulted in the excess reimbursement of Rs 81.88 crore by December 2007 to the agencies.”

“Fair price shopkeepers retained 3.58 crore empty gunny bags during 2002-07,resulting in undue benefit of Rs 43.86 crore to them,” states the report.

Apart from the irregularities,the report also highlighted the reach of the scheme.

Around 1.63 crore children from drought-affected areas during the summer vacation of 2005 and 2007 did not receive the benefit of the scheme,violating the directives of the Supreme Court.

Of the 96,457 schools in the state,kitchen sheds were not available in 36,489. Of the 320 schools inspected,around 61 did not have adequate kitchen devices and potable water.

The scheme was started by the Centre in August 1995 with an aim of universalisation of primary education by improving enrollment,attendance and retention and raising the nutritional level of children.

Plus,it was to implement hygienic and sanitary practices,break caste prejudices by sharing meals and foster gender equality among children of Class I to V.