(a) whether Mid-Day Meal foodgrains are being sold in open/black market;
(b) if so, the number of complaints received during the last three years
and the current year, State-wise; and
(c) the action taken by the Government in this regard and the outcome as a result thereof?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SMT. D. PURANDESWARI)
(a): A few cases of Mid-Day Meal foodgrains sold in open/black market have come to the notice
of the Government.
(b) & (c): The details of complaints regarding Mid Day Meal foodgrain being sold/black marketed
as well as the action taken by the concerned State Govt. are as under:-
2007 – Chhattisgarh - Complaint from Shri Vijay Upadhya regarding sale of MDM rice in the open market
was received. The State Govt. has reported that an enquiry was made in the Gram Panchayat Bewera and
it was found that 161.886 quintal of rice of the MDM Programme had been misappropriated by the Sarpanch.
On the basis of this report, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Bemetra passed an order for removal of the
Sarpanch and the Panchayat Secretary and for recovery of Rs. 4,08,793 from the Sarpanch. The Sarpanch
had filed an appeal against this order and had been granted a stay order by the Court of Additional
Collector, Durg. Disciplinary action has also been initiated against the concerned Head Masters of
the schools and the Block Education Officer for their failure to report the matter in time to the
District and State Officers.
2007 – Delhi – Press clipping appeared in ‘Amar Ujala’ dated 31.3.2007 under the caption ‘Black-marketing
of cereals meant for Mid-Day Meal programme’. The Delhi Police seized 2 Trucks carrying the rice lifted by
the NGOs/Suppliers under Mid Day Meal Scheme from FCI godown, which were taken to Narela for sale in open
market. FIR No. 168/07 was lodged in Police Station, Narela. Govt. of NCT of Delhi has reported that three
suppliers namely Shade India Society, Bal Bhoj and Jansewak Associate who lifted the said foodgrains from
FCI godown have been debarred from the supply of Mid-Day Meal and have been blacklisted.
2008 – Rajasthan – Press clipping appeared in ‘Rashtradoot’ dated 18.9.2008 under the caption ‘Suspension’
Misappropriation of fund under the Mid-Day Meal Scheme by storekeeper’ stated that Misappropriation of fund
and black marketing of foodgrains had been noticed under the Mid-Day Meal scheme by storekeeper. As per
report, the Store Keeper of Sale/Purchase Cooperative Society Marwah Juction, Pali, Rajasthan was not found
guilty. Moreover no fraud or pilferage of foodgrains was found in this case.
2009 – Punjab - Press clippping appeared in ‘Tribune New Delhi’ dated 11.10.2009 ‘Bid to sell foodgrains
foiled; 2 teachers, driver held’. The Govt.of Punjab reported that they have already put both these teachers,
namely, Shri Bhupinder Singh and Shri Major Singh under suspension and Senior Superintendent of Police,
Sangrur has been requested to expedite the investigation and ensure that the culprits are punished as
per law so that it gives exemplary message elsewhere also. 2010 – No complaint received.