Allegations of fraud in student nutrition program: Teachers accused of withholding eggs and bananas in Bhandara

A shocking incident has been uncovered in Bhandara, where teachers are accused of cheating school children by withholding eggs and bananas provided through the government’s Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Yojana. According to the government directive, students from classes I to VIII in primary schools are supposed to receive eggs or bananas once a week on Wednesdays or Fridays to address malnutrition. 

However, it has come to light that in a primary school in Devadi Yethil, Tumsar taluka, teachers have allegedly not been providing these nutritional items to students while still collecting funds for them. This incident has sparked outrage among parents, leading to calls for a thorough inquiry.

The state’s School Education Department introduced the Poshan Ahar Yojana to ensure that students receive healthy and nutritious food. 

Eggs are to be provided once a week, and students who do not consume eggs are given bananas. The current market rate of eggs, set at Rs 5 per egg, is reimbursed to the schools by the government. However, at the Devadi Yethil Primary School, it is alleged that teachers failed to adhere to this nutrition scheme. 

Students have claimed that eggs were only distributed on the day of a teacher’s retirement, raising suspicions among parents. Demanding a detailed investigation into the matter, parents are expressing their dissatisfaction with the incident, which undermines the objective of addressing malnutrition among school children.

In response to this incident, the Education Officer has stated that if schools are found to be withholding eggs from students, further action will be taken after a thorough investigation. 

The state government’s commitment to providing nutritional support to students in aided schools remains a priority, and any deviation from this will be addressed to ensure the welfare of the students.