Mid Day Meal irregularities, mismanagement allegations surface at PM Shri school in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong

Allegations of irregularities in the Mid Day Meal (MDM) programme and poor management have triggered dissatisfaction among parents and local residents at PM Shri Adarsh Rashtra Bhasha Hindi High School in Nawaibil, West Karbi Anglong.

The school falls under the Socheng Education Block and the jurisdiction of Kheroni Police Station.

Parents and residents have alleged that MDM is not being prepared regularly in accordance with the daily menu prescribed by the Education Department. According to the complainants, meals are allegedly prepared for students when senior Education Department officials visit the school, with efforts made to present the school as functioning normally during inspections.

The residents have also raised concerns over poor toilet sanitation and the muddy condition of the school premises.

The allegations have also led to criticism of the school’s former School Management Development Committee (SMDC) president, Chhotelal Chauhan, an assistant professor at Kapili College in West Karbi Anglong.

A meeting was convened to dissolve the previous SMDC amid the allegations. Locals alleged that Chauhan left the meeting while discussions concerning financial accounts and the MDM register were underway.

A complaint has subsequently been lodged at the Mailoo Police Out Post under Kheroni Police Station against the former SMDC president and others. The allegations have not been independently verified, and their veracity will have to be established through an investigation.

The process of forming a new SMDC has also become a point of contention, with parents and local residents alleging that members of the previous committee were attempting to influence the composition of the new body.

The residents have instead demanded that former teacher Ashok Kumar Singh be appointed as the new SMDC president, citing his experience and suitability for the role.

The dispute has reportedly led to heated exchanges and alleged altercations on the school premises.

Parents, students and local residents have also highlighted what they described as longstanding problems at the school, including alleged irregularity in MDM distribution, unusable toilets, shortage of teachers and poor overall management.

The allegations and complaints are expected to be examined by the concerned authorities as part of the investigation into the functioning of the school and its management committee.