The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India has taken action after learning that students in Classes VI to VIII at a government school in Ballia district, Uttar Pradesh did not receive mid-day meals for two consecutive years. The NHRC has issued a notice to the state’s Chief Secretary seeking a detailed explanation within fourteen days.
According to media reports, the school kept false records claiming that meals were being served regularly to around 200 students, despite this not happening. When students complained to the District Magistrate, an inquiry uncovered the discrepancy.
What the NHRC found
The investigation revealed serious irregularities at the school. Approximately Rs. 14 lakh was involved in alleged misappropriation. The issues included:
- Non-serving of mid-day meals to eligible students for two years
- Maintenance of false records to hide the non-compliance
- Underpayment of cooking staff
- Misuse of funds meant for the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Abhiyan scheme
The NHRC believes these actions, if confirmed as accurate, represent serious violations of human rights.
Why this matters
The mid-day meal scheme in government schools up to Class VIII exists for two specific purposes: to fight child malnutrition and to encourage regular school attendance. When students are deprived of these meals while officials falsify records and misuse public money, both educational and nutritional goals are undermined. The NHRC has now called on Uttar Pradesh authorities to provide a comprehensive report on how this situation occurred, what action has been taken against the officials involved, and how such lapses will be prevented in future.