Assam: Expired biscuits served in mid-day meal in Bongaigaon, school headmaster suspended, supplier sealed

A serious incident involving expired biscuits served as a mid-day meal has led to the suspension of the headmaster and significant administrative action in Bongaigaon town. Several students of Hariram Maheshwari Hindi Primary School No. 278 fell ill after consuming the expired biscuits distributed during lunch on June 20, 2024.

The situation was brought to light during a joint inspection by the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Education) and the Senior Food Safety Officer on June 21, 2024. The inspection revealed that Headmaster Nanda Kishor Yadav had distributed the expired biscuits, violating the Standard Operating Procedures of the PM POSHAN scheme. Yadav was subsequently suspended for gross negligence and misconduct, pending further departmental proceedings.

In addition to Yadav's suspension, the education department issued a show-cause notice to Raju, an assistant teacher at the school, for his role in the incident. The notice accused Raju of assisting in the distribution of the expired biscuits, also breaching SOP guidelines.

Further action includes the sealing of the supplier company, Gardhan Das Satyanarayan, responsible for providing the expired biscuits. The company is now under scrutiny as part of the ongoing investigation into the breach.