Meals on Credit: Mid-Day Meal for 1.20 Lakh Children in 1,400 Schools Runs on Teachers' Credit, Over ₹11 Crore Estimated Spend in Six Months
A report has raised questions about how mid-day meals (poshahar) are run in schools. As per the report, the estimated spend on meals for around 1.20 lakh children in 1,400 schools is over ₹11 crore in six months, while payment delays are forcing many schools to buy dal and oil on credit from shopkeepers.
The report says the system has a provision for one month's advance, but when payment is stuck for six months, teachers and school heads end up carrying the burden on their own credit and pockets.
What the Report Says
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total schools | 1,400 |
| Total students | About 1.20 lakh |
| Estimated six-month spend | Over ₹11 crore |
| Advance provision | One month |
| Payment status | Reported stuck for six months |
How Meals Are Running on Credit
As per the report, cooking each day needs dal, oil, vegetables and other items. When payments do not arrive on time, school heads and teachers take supplies on credit from shopkeepers. In many places teachers reportedly have to spend thousands of rupees from their own pockets.
- Growing shopkeeper dues risk future supplies drying up.
- Financial and mental pressure on teachers.
- Delayed payments may affect meal quality.
Government Norms for the Children's Plate
Under government norms, a fixed quantity of grain, pulses, vegetables and oil per child is to be provided in primary and upper primary classes.
| Item | Class 1 to 5 | Class 6 to 8 |
|---|---|---|
| Wheat/rice | 100 g | 150 g |
| Dal | 20 g | 30 g |
| Vegetables | 50 g | 75 g |
| Oil | 5 g | 7.5 g |
What to Watch Next
The focus now is on when payments are released and whether the advance period or process is changed. Teachers' bodies and parents have also been seeking timely release of funds.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many schools and children does the report mention?
1,400 schools and about 1.20 lakh children.
What is the estimated six-month spend?
Over ₹11 crore.
What is the problem?
Payment delays are pushing schools to run meals on credit for dal and oil.
Note: This story has been written in our own words by the Emitrawala.com team, based on a newspaper report and public information. Figures are as per the report. We could not clearly read the district/region name in the clipping, so please verify with the original report before publishing.
