Discrepancies detected in implementation of day meal scheme in Dimapur

Our Reporter

Dimapur, Feb. 23 (EMN): The department of School Education included 17 National Child labour Programme (NCLP) schools each year during 2011-15 for implementation of mid day meal (MDM) scheme in Dimapur district for a total budget estimate of INR 47.27 lakh -- INR 34.78 lakh for cooking cost, and INR 3.03 lakh for transportation cost of 167.38 MT valued at INR 9.46 lakh, according to the Public Accounts Committee (2020-21) report, which was presented at the recently concluded Nagaland Legislative Assembly session.

However, examination of records revealed that the department allocated only INR 29.83 lakh cooking cost and 120 MT of food grains to the sub-divisional education officer (SDEO), Dimapur. Thus, the SDEO Dimapur short received INR 4.95 lakh cooking cost, 47.38 MT good grains and INR 3.03 lakh transportation cost.

In turn, the SDEO Dimapur allocated only INR 28.51 lakh cooking cost and 85 MT of food grains to the project director, NCLP, Dimapur, and thus there was short receipt of INR 1.32 lakh and 35 MT of food grain valued at INR 1.98 lakh by the implementing agency. This had an adverse effect on the implementation of MDM in the NCLP schools in the district, according to the report.

In an audit query, the report stated, the department hasn’t replied about the short receipt in MDM components such as cooking cost and food grains between the department and SDEO-Dimapur and between SDEO-Dimapur and project director, NCLP-Dimapur.

The committee in its recommendation stated that various MDM components such as cooking cost and food grains were not managed the way it should have been as there was discrepancy and issue of short receipts between the department and SDEO, Dimapur, and between the SDEOs, Dimapur to project director, NCLP Dimapur, which adversely affected implementation of the MDM scheme.

The committee also stated that the department should not shy away from their responsibility on every activity and recommended to carry out thorough investigation and submit action taken report within two months from the date of laying “this” report in the House.