Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh): In a shocking revelation, students of a government primary school in Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh were seen being served salt and roti (flatbread) under the midday meal scheme.
In a video, children of the Siyur primary school in Hinauta village can be seen sitting on the floor of the school corridor, eating rotis with just some salt in their plates.
Speaking to ETV Bharat, Ashok, a parent said that children were not being served proper food in the school for the past year. "Children are given either roti-salt or rice-salt on most days, and milk and bananas are served only rarely," he said.
After ETV Bharat reported about the incident, District Magistrate Anurag Patel confirmed the incident, saying that an inquiry was ordered.
"I have got an inquiry conducted and the incident has been found to be true. Prima facie, it is the fault of the teacher in-charge of the school Murari, and the supervisor at the Gram Panchayat, NPRC Arvind Tripathi. Both have been suspended," he said.
Patel further added that the Basic Shiksha Adhikari (BSA) and the deputy BSA have been asked to give an explanation for the lapse.
The midday meal scheme is designed to provide proper nutrition to scores of children from poor families who study in government schools across the country.
According to the website of state Midday Meal Authority, the overseeing body for these meals in the state, government-run primary schools list an elaborate menu that is supposed to be served to children.
It includes pulses, rice, rotis and vegetables. Fruits and milk are included on certain days, according to the meal chart.
The Uttar Pradesh government spokesman said that it is providing midday meals in over 1.5 lakh primary and middle schools across the state. Over 1 crore children are supposed to benefit from the scheme.
According to the Centre, the midday meal scheme is designed to provide a minimum of 450 calories per child per day, which should include at least 12 grams of protein each day too. These meals should be served to each child, at least, 200 days a year.
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