₹2,000 Crore Scam Uncovered in Rajasthan's Midday Meal Scheme
Rajasthan ACB unearths ₹2,000 crore scam in midday meal scheme during pandemic.
Photo by Vivekarasan M
The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) in Rajasthan has uncovered a scam worth ₹2,000 crore related to the supply of food items to school students under the midday meal scheme during the COVID-19 pandemic. The FIR names 21 individuals and entities as accused. The ACB alleges that officials of the Rajasthan State Cooperative Consumer Federation (CONFED) and private firms colluded to change rules, exclude eligible firms from the tender process, and create a network of fake suppliers and transporters.
Payments were allegedly released based on inflated and fake bills. The scam involved the supply of combo packs containing pulses, oil, and spices to students during school closures.
Key Facts
Scam amount: ₹2,000 crore
Scheme: Midday meal scheme
Location: Rajasthan
UPSC Exam Angles
GS Paper II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
GS Paper III: Issues related to direct and indirect farm subsidies and minimum support prices; Public Distribution System- objectives, functioning, limitations, revamping; issues of buffer stocks and food security.
Potential question types: Analyzing the impact of corruption on social welfare schemes, evaluating the effectiveness of PM POSHAN, examining the role of state governments in implementing central schemes.
Visual Insights
Midday Meal Scheme Scam Location: Rajasthan
The map highlights Rajasthan, where a ₹2,000 crore scam related to the Midday Meal Scheme has been uncovered. This impacts the nutritional well-being of school children in the state.
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More Information
Background
The Midday Meal Scheme, now known as PM Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN), has its roots in the Madras Municipal Corporation's initiative in 1925. This was expanded in the post-independence era, with Tamil Nadu being a pioneer in universalizing the program in the 1960s. The central government formally launched the National Programme of Nutritional Support to Primary Education (NP-NSPE) in 1995, aiming to provide cooked meals to children in primary schools.
Over the years, the scheme has undergone several revisions, including the introduction of cooked meals instead of dry rations and the extension of coverage to upper primary classes. The Supreme Court's intervention in 2001, directing all states to provide cooked meals, was a significant milestone. The scheme's evolution reflects a growing recognition of the link between nutrition, education, and child development.
Latest Developments
In recent years, there has been increased scrutiny of the quality and implementation of the PM POSHAN scheme. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the provision of midday meals in schools, leading to alternative arrangements such as the distribution of food kits or direct benefit transfers (DBT). There's an ongoing debate about the effectiveness of these alternatives compared to cooked meals served in schools.
Furthermore, the focus has shifted towards improving the nutritional content of the meals, including the incorporation of millets and other locally sourced foods. The government is also emphasizing greater community participation and social audits to enhance transparency and accountability in the scheme's implementation. The National Education Policy 2020 also highlights the importance of nutrition and health in achieving educational goals, potentially leading to further reforms in the PM POSHAN scheme.
Practice Questions (MCQs)
1. Consider the following statements regarding the PM POSHAN scheme: 1. It aims to enhance the nutritional status of children in elementary classes. 2. The scheme provides for hot cooked meals to be served in schools. 3. The central government bears the entire cost of the scheme. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A.1 and 2 only
- B.2 and 3 only
- C.1 and 3 only
- D.1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Answer: A
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. The central government shares the cost with state governments.
2. Which of the following is NOT a component of the PM POSHAN scheme?
- A.Provision of hot cooked meals
- B.Nutritional gardens in schools
- C.Skill development training for teachers
- D.Social Audit of the scheme
Show Answer
Answer: C
Skill development training for teachers is not a direct component of the PM POSHAN scheme.
3. Consider the following statements: Assertion (A): Corruption in the implementation of social welfare schemes undermines their effectiveness. Reason (R): Diversion of funds and resources reduces the intended benefits reaching the target beneficiaries. In the context of the above, which of the following is correct?
- A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
- B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
- C.A is true but R is false
- D.A is false but R is true
Show Answer
Answer: A
Both the assertion and reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why corruption undermines the effectiveness of social welfare schemes.