Rajasthan Govt Schools Face 58% Milk Powder Deficit

Rajasthan's government schools are facing a severe milk supply crisis under the Pannadhay Bal Gopal Yojana, a mid-day meal nutrition initiative. The state is dealing with a 58% deficit in skimmed milk powder supply, leaving thousands of students in approximately 65,000 government schools without guaranteed nutrition.

The additional chief secretary of the education department, Rajesh Yadav, has expressed his displeasure over the short supply of skimmed milk powder despite the demand raised by the schools well in time. Against the demand of 37,56,430 Kg of milk powder, only 15,73,815 Kg (41.90%) has been supplied to the schools until the first week of August.

As many as 17 districts out of 41 received no supply of the milk powder, including Bharatpur, the home district of CM Bhajan Lal Sharma. The delayed supply of fresh powder has resulted in schools holding onto old stocks, causing food safety concerns. The education department has formed block-level committees to conduct school-wise verification of stock registers, student attendance records, manufacturing dates, and expiry dates of skimmed milk powder supplied to the schools.

The major reason for the short supply of milk powder is alleged siphoning of supplies to private mawa and sweet shops. The Rajasthan Cooperative Dairy Federation (RCDF), the agency responsible for supplying milk powder to schools, recently filed an FIR after nearly 3,000 kg of milk powder was allegedly diverted and sold in the open market.

The alleged diversion came to light in the Samod area of Chomu in Jaipur district, prompting police to act on a tip-off. During a raid in Chithwadi village, officers intercepted a pickup truck carrying government-supplied milk powder and detained three suspects. The seized consignment was meant for distribution to students in government schools but had allegedly been diverted from the welfare scheme before reaching its intended beneficiaries.

The Pannadhay Bal Gopal Yojana is meant to benefit thousands of students in government schools, providing them with nutritional supplements. However, the current shortage has raised concerns over the effectiveness of the scheme. The education department and the RCDF are working to address the issue and ensure that students receive the necessary nutrition.

The milk powder shortage has significant implications for the health and well-being of students in government schools. The lack of nutrition can affect their ability to focus and learn, ultimately impacting their academic performance. The government must take immediate action to address the shortage and ensure that students receive the necessary nutrition.

In conclusion, the milk powder shortage in Rajasthan's government schools is a matter of concern that requires immediate attention. The government must take steps to address the issue and ensure that students receive the necessary nutrition to support their health and academic performance.